Editor’s Notebook: Reid Letters/ Festival Contest/ Tony Lightfoot/ MacLellan Contest/ Piping Live March

Comparisons are odious as they say, but it is a habit in which we pipers just can’t help indulging. For example, Robert Reid jnr., we read this week, believed Malcolm Macpherson a better player than the Bobs of Balmoral. I don’t suppose we’ll ever know. The ‘Binneas’ recordings of Malcolm are very poor and I know of no others of him. There are good recordings of RB Nicol and RU…

Ireland North and South: Terry Takes VP Job/ Warnock Documentary/ Tullylagan Book/ Kenny Crothers/ Innovation in Cork

At a recent Irish Pipe Band Association National Executive Committee meeting it was decided to appoint a Vice-President to assist President Con O’Conaill. The NEC are very aware that an officer might not be able to fulfil his/her public duties at any given time.  The name of Pipe Major Terry Tully was proposed by Brian MacMahon and seconded by Johnny Sheehan and Terry was unanimously elected by the NEC to…

All Ireland Pipe Band Results

This competition, run by the Irish Pipe Band Association and the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch, was held yesterday in variable conditions in Balymena. G1 : 1 Field Marshall 2 St Laurence O’Toole 3 Closkelt; Best bass: FMMG2: 1 Ravara 2 Manorcunningham 3 St Joseph’s 4 St Mary’s; Best bass: RavaraG3a: 1 Tullylaggan 2 Clogher 3 Kildoag 4 Maj. Sinclair; Best bass: ClogherG3b: 1 Cullybackey; Best bass: CullybackeyG4a: 1 Syerla 2…

Luss Games – Comment and Pictures Added

A mostly dry but blustery day in the shadow of Ben Lomond with a very strong entry in the Open competition. Pictured on the boards today is Edward Gaul, the winner of the ceòl mòr. The organisers announced a crowd of 3,800 in attendance with a feast of piping both professional and amateur. Open Piobaireachd, four tunes asked for, 18 played, three prizes, six places.1 Edward Gaul, The Groat2 Brian…

Editor’s Notebook: Yardley Medal/ Silver Chanter/ MacDougall’s House/ Luss, Bute & Annan Contests

Reader Phil Meyer has been in touch from Tasmania. Phil writes: ‘I  am a descendent of George Yardley and was wondering if the attached medal [front and back above] has any value from an insurance point of view? ‘George was my great-grandfather on my grandmother’s side so I have never met him. In fact I believe neither my father or his two sisters actually met him either. I will see…