Category: Reviews

Editor’s Notebook: Bands and Solos/ Edinburgh Job/ Angus Award/ Glasgow Police LP

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

So that’s the band season more or less over for another year. The piping world now focuses on the solos with major events at Lonach tomorrow, Oban from Wednesday and Fort William next Friday. I suppose from the solo-piper-in-a-band-perspective the calendar works out well, but I still think it is a pity the bands don’t have Cowal or at least some other important event filling out the summer. That won’t…

More Editor’s Notebook: Bands and Solos/ Edinburgh Job/ Angus Award/ Glasgow Police LP

The Worlds 2026: Views of a Retired Adjudicator

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Unfortunately, I was able to attend only the Saturday of the World Pipe Band Championships this year.  Unlike some of the previous years the weather was pleasantly warm, free from rain and with only a mild wind, so the atmosphere was ideal for tuning and for the band performances.  Both days were well attended by spectators (estimated at around 35,000 over the two days).  The official programme showed a total…

More The Worlds 2026: Views of a Retired Adjudicator

The Worlds 2026: Readers Have Their Say

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

The comments on the 2026 Worlds continue to reverberate. There can be no question that this year’s championship was an outstanding success for which the RSPBA and the promoters, Glasgow Life, deserve considerable credit. But things could be better say our readers. The treatment of the Juvenile grade and the lack of concern for spectators can be added to the row over Friday heats in Grade 2. We start with…

More The Worlds 2026: Readers Have Their Say

Review: 2026 Worlds Grade 1

Posted on      by      1 Comment

On Friday I wrote that after hearing all of the Grade 1 Medley I had three bands out on their own and one I would back to take the title. The three were St Laurence O’Toole, Fife Police and Simon Fraser University – and my cash was on SFU. Not only did P/M Bevan’s boys (and girls) take the Friday Medley, but they also won the Saturday one too and…

More Review: 2026 Worlds Grade 1

Worlds Day 1: Juvenile and Novice Results (updated with comment and pictures)

Posted on      by      3 Comments

The first day of the World Pipe Championships saw the first two heats of the Grade 1 competition, two heats of Grade 2 and the Novice and Juvenile Championships. Glasgow Green was warm and almost perfect for pipe bands – no harsh sun, dry, with only a little breeze. After a hard fought contest George Watson’ College were crowned Juvenile Champions, North Lanarkshire Schools Novice A Champions, and St Thomas…

More Worlds Day 1: Juvenile and Novice Results (updated with comment and pictures)