Review: Ben Duncan Recital

Last weekend’s recital held in the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen was well attended, with a close to capacity crowd of 60, writes Fraser Maitland, Chairman of Aberdeen Piping Society. The crowd suggested that there is a real appetite for live piping in the city. These events are still well received here in Aberdeen. One of our young pipers, Murray Barclay, kicked off the night with some traditional marches. He…

British Championship Tickets/ Pipe Major Ian McLellan/ David Weir/ Kintyre Book

Tickets are on sale already for next summer’s British Pipe Band Championships at Ingliston. The date is May 30th. Mark Currie, Director at the Royal Highland Centre, said: ‘It’s a real honour to be hosting the championships once again… Visitors can expect a vibrant festival atmosphere.’ ‘Tickets are available now via our website, and early booking is recommended due to high demand. Children’s tickets are £12.50, adults £15 and family…

Editor’s Notebook: PS Collection/ Ian’s Funeral/ Drum Solos/ Kintyre Collection/ Ben Recital/ Letters

A five-year long revision of the Piobaireachd Society’s collection of Books 1-16 has been completed. It took many hours of work by myself and Society Music Editor Jack Taylor but the results are very satisfying. Many of the anomalies and errors accumulated in the 100 years since the collection was begun by Sheriff Grant of Rothiemurchus and Archibald Campbell, Kilberry. No one plays a crunluath a mach in Lament for…

Caritas Banner Grows in Stature

The Caritas Banner competition for under 18 piobaireachd playing was held yesterday, November 30, in the premises of its founders, George Watson’s College, Edinburgh. There were more than 60 young entrants from all over Scotland, and one even travelled from North Wales to take part. By Robert Wallace There were three events, Under 18 (two tunes required), 14&Under (own choice) and 14&Under Ground and Variation. Results were as follows: Under…

Argyllshire Gathering Entries Open/ Set Tune Addition/ Florida Pipe & Drum Academy

The Argyllshire Gathering Piping Competitions take place in Oban, Argyll, on Wednesday 26 August and Thursday 27 August 2026. Entries are now open here. The website reads: ‘The Competition features two days of piping excellence, with over 200 pipers from across the globe competing in this, the world’s foremost solo piping competition.’ Pipers are encouraged to enter now but their eligibility and acceptance will only be decided early in the new…