PP Audio Archive: Angus MacColl’s Winning MSR/ Ceol Mor from Jimmy

A real treat today for all piping enthusiasts: a recording of Angus MacColl’s winning MSR in the Former Winners’ competition at this year’s Argyllshire Gathering, Oban, writes the Editor. Angus has kindly agreed to it being broadcast and listeners will hear why he is the revered champion piper that he is. You will have perhaps read before my comments about playing to win, the need to eschew the safe, careful…

New Letters/ Award for Gordon/ Calum Johnston/Gairloch Juniors

New letters added today headed Competition Notes, Monktonhall Pipe Band and the SPA WW1 concert. Congratulations to RSPBA adjudicator and dedicated teacher of piping, Gordon Lawrie, on his BEM from HM The Queen. Here’s how the local paper reported his receiving the award from  her representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire. Gordon is pictured bottom right: Congratulations too to Bleary & District Pipe Band (pictured top) on their elevation to the…

Here Comes the Sun! South Florida Pipe & Drum Academy Registration

Pre-registration for the 2016 South Florida Piping and Drum Academy is now open. The Academy will run from Feb 24 -28 inclusive at Boca Raton, Florida. Boca Raton Fire Department, 6500 Congress Ave #200, Boca Raton, FL 33487, is the precise address. Likely schedule will be auditions on the Weds, then an evening out for a meet and greet.  Classes proper will start Thursday the 25th and the school will end with…

Daniel Laidlaw VC/ Inverness Junior Piping/ Blackthorn Pipers/ Whisky Galore

As part of its WW1 commemoration series, the BBC has published a good wrap up on Piper Daniel Laidlaw VC, KOSB. There’s an interview with his grandson Kevin Laidlaw. Kevin, also a piper, went to Loos in 2005 for the 90th anniversary of the battle. He says: ‘I stood out and played The standard on the Braes o’ Mar which was the regimental charge of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, which…

PP Editor’s Blog: All Ireland Solos/ Whisky Galore/ 24 Renfrew Street

To Dublin tonight for tomorrow’s All-Ireland Solos.The Championships are under the joint auspices of the Irish Pipe Band Association  and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (Northern Ireland Branch)  and will be held in Trinity Comprehensive  School, Ballymun, Dublin. For those going along, Piping is at 10am and Drumming at 11. Here are the current champions:  Senior Piping: Ashley McMichael, Field Marshal Montgomery Senior Drumming: Michael McKenna, St. Laurence O’Toole Piobaireachd A: Graham Drummond,…