Piping Teacher Wanted for Glasgow Schools as P/M Peter MacInnes, Scots Guards, Retires

Following the retirement of P/M Peter MacInnes (above), Glasgow schools are looking for a new piping tutor with the intention of forming a schools band. The job pays £33 – £44k per year for 35 hours a week and its based in the City Halls in Albion Street in the heart of the Merchant City district. The blurb reads: ‘Glasgow City Council is seeking to appoint an Instructor of Piping…

Northern Ireland Report for August and September

Twenty bands and 30 drum majors from Northern Ireland attended the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow in an overall entry of 190 bands and 44 drum majors from 15 countries. The only World title claimed by an NI Branch band was G3A by Tullylagan, together with the drum corps title. This was a great achievement for a band celebrating its Centenary. Only ten prizes were annexed by NI bands…

Glengarry Cup, Ottawa, Results

On Saturday, September 23, the Ottawa Branch of the Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario held the Glengarry Cup, writes Karine Mayers, President. The overall winner by piobaireachd preference was Ian K. MacDonald. New this year, a Piobaireachd contest was held in the afternoon followed by an MSR contestin the evening. The contest drew a crowd of 100, filling the room at the Army Officers’ Mess, in Ottawa. Piob:1…

My Father, Double Gold Medallist William M. MacDonald

A new book has been published featuring the compositions of the late William M. MacDonald, Inverness, and his son Brian. In his Foreword, Brian gives illuminating insight into his father’s life and career…. My father was born in Kingussie on 6th August 1918 and inherited his musical talent from his mother who was a Munro from Sutherland. As a boy he was first taught piping in Kingussie by Captain Norman…

History of the Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band – Part 3

It is believed that Hamish McColl MM was Pipe Sergeant when Willie Fergusson retired and he was unanimously appointed Pipe Major. McColl held the position for 18 months, a relatively short tenure, but maintained the competition standard.  For reasons unknown, he moved to the Rutherglen Rechabites band and was replaced in the MacRae by John Findlay Nicoll.  He continued the band’s incredible success and emulated Pipe Major Fergusson’s famous 1920s…