RSPBA: Regradings, 2023 Major Championships Review, Pipe Band College Suspended

The following excerpts are from the minutes of last month’s Board of Directors’ meeting of the RSPBA. We reproduce them as close to the original as possible without comment. 2024 Championship Update: Chief Executive [Colin Mulhern] spoke about the World Championship and has confirmed dates for 2024 [16/17 August]; Scottish [at Dumbarton] has signed for three years. He is continuing to work with various councils and promoters for the remaining…

Complete London Championship Results

This contest was held in the Caledonian Club, Belgravia, on November 3/4. Bratach Gorm1 Roderick MacLeod, Old Men of the Shells 2 Finlay Johnston, Lament for the Earl of Antrim3 Angus D MacColl, Nameless, Cherede Darievea4 Callum Beaumont, Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck5 Bruce Gandy, Lachlan MacNeill Campbell Kintarbert’s Fancy  Open Piobaireachd for the William Gillies Cup (6 tunes)1 Finlay Johnston2 Nick Hudson3 Glenn Brown4 Bruce Gandy5 Andrew Donlon MSR:…

History: Pipe Bands in the East of Scotland Part 4

I am extremely grateful to reader Iain McAlister for forwarding the pictures which illustrate this article and for the information on the bands in the photographs. Of the one above, Iain writes: ‘The picture of the band in uniform is Whitrigg, unknown year, Pipe Major Elkie Clark. Kneeling front right is a very young Robert Martin, later to become P/M of Boghall.’ Iain has sent three other very interesting pictures…

New Information on Worlds Adjudicator Controversy: Discrepancies in Summary Sheets

The background to the controversial decision to delete one judge’s results at the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships can be revealed today. The Board of Directors of the RSPBA met last week and there was lengthy discussion on the events surrounding the Grade 1 competition on the Friday of the Worlds. The Chairman read out comprehensive notes from the Adjudicator’s Panel Management Board (APMB) minutes regarding the removal of one…

Piper Identification – Clan MacRae Link? / Scots Guards KO Result / Winter Storm Info

Some information  for Cailean Maclean, writes Iain Duncan. I’ve been mulling over the photo identified as ‘Robertson, Skye,’ and I’d say with confidence this photo is post WWI, perhaps late 1920s, and he’s a civilian band piper.   His Glengarry cap-badge and sporran top both carry the crest of a right (dexter) hand holding a sword which belongs to the House of Inverinate, the Clan MacRae, and therefore, definitely civilian….