Build Up to the British – A Preview of the Grade 2 Pipe Band Championship

We continue our build up to Saturday’s first major pipe band championship of the season, the British at the St James Playing Fields, Paisley. Here our Special Correspondent takes a look at one of the most competitive grades, Grade 2. A field of 16 will kick off the first major of the season for the Grade 2 prize. With four of the big guns of the most recent few seasons…

Results from Dundee, Banchory and Gourock

The first weekend of pipe band competition in the 2017 season saw wins for Field Marshal Montgomery in Grade 1 at Bangor in Northern Ireland, MacKenzie Caledonian in the city centre contest at Dundee, Buchan Peterson in Grade 1 at Banchory, Inveraray  at Gourock in the west of Scotland and Fife Police (Grade 1) and Grampian Police (Grade 2) at Dunbar. Though the weather was not as good in Scotland…

First Northern Irish Pipe Band Championship of the Season at Bangor

The Ards and North Down Pipe Band Championships, the first pipe band championship of the 2017 Northern Irish season, was held at Castle Grounds, Bangor on Saturday 13th May, reports John Kelly. The chieftain of the gathering was Alderman Deborah Girvan (Mayor of Ards and North Down) who took the salute and presented the prizes.  The Grade 1 winners were Field Marshal Montgomery (pictured above on their way to the…

Winners of Original Piobaireachd Composing Competition Announced

Jori Chisholm, Seattle, is the winner of the Original Piobaireachd Composing Competition sponsored by the California-based Shasta Piping Society and the Burley Bagpipe Company, British Columbia. Under anonymous cover, Jori’s tune was the unanimous choice of the judges Mike Cusack, Texas, Bill Livingstone, Ontario, and Robert Wallace, Glasgow (Chairman). Jori receives £500 ($650). He is pictured above. Runner up was Dave Mason of South Africa who receives £250 ($325) with John Bottomley, Director…

PP Ed’s Blog: New England/ HIMDF Results/ Colin Thomson/ Gransha

Just to clarify things and avoid any confusion, the dates of next month’s New England Pipe & Drum Academy are June 16 -21. Publicity material with anything other than these dates is incorrect and apologies for any confusion. Everything is shaping up well for another fine week at the superb Adelynrood Retreat and Conference Centre. We are delighted to have drumming expert Tommy Johnston with us this year as our percussion…