Category: Reviews

‘Life, Times and Music of John Macdonald, Inverness’, by John H Shone – A Review

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

The name of John Macdonald, Inverness, must be one of the best known and illustrious in piping history. However, until now, there has not been a single account of his life and his influence on the development of piping, and piobaireachd in particular, during a critical period towards the end of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. By Alan Forbes John Shone has put that right in his…

More ‘Life, Times and Music of John Macdonald, Inverness’, by John H Shone – A Review

Ross Watson of Broadleys Bagpipes, the New Owner of the RT Shepherd Brand

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Ross Watson of Broadleys Bagpipes & Reeds is the new owner of the assets and brand of RT Shepherd & Co. In an interview with Piping Press he has spoken about his decision to make an offer for the company. Ross (47) was 28 years with Bob Shepherd, working at his premises in Cardenden, Fife. Almost three years ago he decided to branch out on his own. Broadleys Bagpipes &…

More Ross Watson of Broadleys Bagpipes, the New Owner of the RT Shepherd Brand

Sale of RT Shepherd & Co Confirmed by Insolvency Company

Posted on      by      1 Comment

Within hours of Piping Press reporting rumours of a sale of RT Shepherd & Co., the company handling the insolvency has confirmed that the firm will be taken over by Broadleys Bagpipes & Reeds. Fife-based Broadleys have a growing reputation within the pipe band world with many top bands already playing their instruments and reeds. Proprietor Ross Watson is a former employee of Shepherds. The Interim Liquidator Steven Wright was…

More Sale of RT Shepherd & Co Confirmed by Insolvency Company

New Book Available on John Macdonald, Inverness

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

The Piobaireachd Society and author John Shone have published a new book ‘Life, Times and Music of John Macdonald, Inverness’. It is considered an important work in that it contains previously unseen correspondence and the manuscript book of the man described by Sheriff JP Grant, Rothiemurchus thus: ‘Those who have heard him playing the ancient classical music of the Great Highland pipe will, if they have a spark of music…

More New Book Available on John Macdonald, Inverness

Honouring Piper Daniel Laidlaw VC, WW1’s Piper of Loos

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

The Ancre Somme Association Scotland Charity has launched a project to have a bronze bust of Piper Daniel Laidlaw VC ‘The Piper of Loos’ unveiled in his home village of Swinton, Berwickshire, writes Kevin McLean. The planned date for the unveiling is 25th Sept this year. This marks the 110th anniversary of Daniel going over the top at the Battle of Loos in 1915.  We have gained the support of…

More Honouring Piper Daniel Laidlaw VC, WW1’s Piper of Loos