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…

Consideration of Upper Limits on Numbers Following the Demise of two Grade 1 Bands

Recently, two first grade pipe bands ceased operations, unable to attract enough competent pipers and drummers to compete confidently at the top level. This reduction highlights a growing issue: the remaining top bands have become so large that they absorb much of the available talent, leaving fewer skilled players to sustain other Grade 1 or 2 bands. By Allan Hamilton Historically, a greater number of strong bands existed precisely because…

Gordon Duncan Tribute/ George Sherriff Results

A special concert is to be held at Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow to celebrate 30 years of the release since the groundbreaking ‘Live ‘n Well’ album by Vale of Atholl Pipe Band under P/M Ian Duncan. A Gordon Duncan Tribute Band will lead the musical offering at the concert with input from Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton. P/M Duncan, Gordon’s brother, and Ryan King have hand picked a line…