Editor’s Notebook: PS Conference/ NI Bands/ D.R. MacLennan’s Pipes/ Missing Trophy

A week from now we will have the first Piobaireachd Society Conference since 2019. It can be difficult to re-kindle enthusiasm after so long a gap, easy-option Zoom meetings making us all lazy and complacent. But the benefit of human contact and a face to face welcome cannot be underestimated, and the Conference has been part of the furniture in the piping world since as far back as many can…

Frank Andrews Tribute Concert and New Developments and News from Northern Ireland and Eire

A small number of tickets, £25 and £15, remain for the P/M Frank Andrews Tribute Concert to be held in the Tullyglass Hotel, Ballymena on Friday April 28th . These can be purchased online through www.ticketsource.co.uk. Headlining the concert will be the 13-time World Champions, Field Marshal Montgomery, which Frank served as drone tuner for some two decades. Also taking part will be a FMM former members’ quartet, while the…

Scottish Schools Results/ Ayr Festival Results/ SPA Juvenile Draw

Isle of Arran Schools (above), Lochgilphead A, Hutchesons’ Grammar, Glasgow High School, Fettes College, Dollar Academy and Skye Youth Pipe Band hit the right note with the judges at this year’s annual Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship, writes Fergus Robb. An array of bands, quartets and freestyle groups showcased their skills on Sunday (March 12) at Kilmarnock’s William McIlvanney Campus. More than 120 schools went head-to-head across 81 performances, vying for success in…

Duncan Johnstone Memorial Results 2023 – Updated with Picture and Comment

This competition for junior professionals was held today (Sat, March 11) at the National Piping Centre, Otago Street and McPhater Street, Glasgow. There were large entries in all categories, 33 in the C Piobaireachd and 30 in the C MSR. There were 23 in the B Piob and 21 in the B MSR. Pictured above are all the trophy winners with Champion Piper Callum Wynd far left. B Grade Piobaireachd,…

Editor’s Notebook: Highland Games Threat/ Trophy Search/ Oban Festival/ Dollar Contest/ Sandy Jones

This from a prominent Highland games organiser: ‘On the CPA judge/pupil pronouncements that have lately been made, has anyone raised the problems this causes for competition organisers? ‘How are games committees, expected to be able to attract decent player numbers, or to maintain their ‘local’ feel, when they may not be able to use local piping adjudicators because they then wouldn’t get local competitors? ‘How can they afford to import…