Northern Ireland News

Ulster at the Duncan Johnstone: On Saturday 21st March a number of pipers from Northern Ireland took part in the annual Duncan Johnstone Memorial competition in Glasgow. The overall winner of the B Grade competitions was Andrew Pattison, while Scott Wallace was the Grade C winner. The B Piobaireachd was won by Rathfriland’s James Frazer who also placed fifth in the B MSR and second in the B Jig. Scott…

MacColls Recital/ Pipe Idol Entries/ Kiwi Success

Tonight Inverness Piping Society welcomes both Angus MacColl Snr. and Jnr. for the third recital of the season, writes Les Hutt. From his success in the Young Piper of the Year at Blair Castle in 1984, Angus Snr. has been one of the most consistent of the top pipers over the past 40 years. His successes make remarkable reading including five Clasps to the Highland Society of London Gold Medal,…

Skye Gathering Entries Open

Entries for this year’s Skye Gathering piping – on August 5/6 – are now open. Entry form and contest information below. Places in the Dunvegan Medal are limited to 25 and entries close on May 31. A list of successful applicants will be circulated to all entrants in early June. In drawing up the list, the Skye Piping Committee will take CPA gradings and previous attendance and placings at the…

Royal Regiment of Scotland’s New Book of Pipe Music Celebrates 20 Years of SCOTS

Well, the wait is finally over and I’m pleased to say the SCOTS Pipe Music Collection Vol 1 is ready! The Royal Regiment of Scotland are proud to announce the release of its first pipe music collection to mark the 20th anniversary of the regiment founded on 28 March, 2006.  This landmark publication brings together, for the first time, the full collection of regimental music, including all battalion tunes and…

Piobaireachd Society Conference Final Details

The Piobaireachd Society Conference at the Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling, this weekend March 27-29. This local landmark is right in the centre of town, on King Street, less than 10 minutes walk from both the bus and train stations. It has a long history, the most famous guest perhaps being Robert Burns who scratched a poem on one of the windows. By Peter McCalister, PS Vice President Stirling Castle is…