PP Editor’s Blog: Kilberry Bagpipes/ British Championships/Piping Live

Double Gold Medallist Douglas Murray has taken over Kilberry Bagpipes in Edinburgh and reports brisk business at his premises in St Mary’s Street just off the Royal Mile. The above pic shows Dougie outside his new shop. Visitors are welcome to call in for a chat or to have their pipes looked over by an expert. Douglas will be leading his much-improved Fife Constabulary band onto the field at the…

Iain Dall MacKay Contest/ New Letters/ Govan Piping

Details have been announced for the 2015 Iain Dall MacKay contest to be held in Gairloch, Wester Ross, in September. The Iain Dall ‘Young Pipers’ Festival’ will be held in Gairloch Primary School on September 26th. The purpose of the festival is to encourage pipers aged under 18 to compete and enjoy their piping in a friendly and relaxing competition. There are eight classes: 1: March on practice chanter – primary…

West Lothian Schools Concert/ New England Academy/ USPF/Letters/ Drummer Sought

Abi Smith of the Piping Centre has sent this: ‘We’ve just announced a new Pipe Band Concert which is taking place at The National Piping Centre on 5th June featuring West Lothian Schools Pipe Band. All information can be found on the event page here: https://wlspbconcert.eventbrite.com; Tickets are on sale online and at The National Piping Centre. We would appreciate if you could add this event to your blog.  +44 (0) 141 353 0220;  +44 (0) 141…

Gourock Draw & Times/ London Busking Problem for Pipers

The revised draw and playing times for the Gourock Pipe Band Competition to be held a week on Sunday (May 10) has now been posted on the RSPBA website. The revision was due to a number of late entries. Adjudicators: Arena 1 – (Piping) John Wilson & Ronnie McShannon, (Drumming) Jim Baxter, (Ensemble) Gordon Lawrie; Arena 2 –  (Piping) Richard Parkes & Robert Shaw, (Drumming) Mick O’Neill, (Ensemble) Joe Noble.   PP…

Scotland’s Jim Murray Wins ANZAC Tune Competition

P/M James Murray of Western Australia Police Pipe Band has won a prestigious composing competition for a tune to commemorate 100 years since the bravery and sacrifice of the Gallipoli landings during WW1. The tune, complete with harmony, is being made available here for the public with the composer’s permission: A press release issued by the promoters of the competition, Pipe Bands Australia and the New Zealand Pipe Band Association,…