Category: Reviews

RSPBA: Regradings, 2023 Major Championships Review, Pipe Band College Suspended

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The following excerpts are from the minutes of last month’s Board of Directors’ meeting of the RSPBA. We reproduce them as close to the original as possible without comment. 2024 Championship Update: Chief Executive [Colin Mulhern] spoke about the World Championship and has confirmed dates for 2024 [16/17 August]; Scottish [at Dumbarton] has signed for three years. He is continuing to work with various councils and promoters for the remaining…

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New Information on Worlds Adjudicator Controversy: Discrepancies in Summary Sheets

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The background to the controversial decision to delete one judge’s results at the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships can be revealed today. The Board of Directors of the RSPBA met last week and there was lengthy discussion on the events surrounding the Grade 1 competition on the Friday of the Worlds. The Chairman read out comprehensive notes from the Adjudicator’s Panel Management Board (APMB) minutes regarding the removal of one…

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Piper Identification – Clan MacRae Link? / Scots Guards KO Result / Winter Storm Info

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Some information  for Cailean Maclean, writes Iain Duncan. I’ve been mulling over the photo identified as ‘Robertson, Skye,’ and I’d say with confidence this photo is post WWI, perhaps late 1920s, and he’s a civilian band piper.   His Glengarry cap-badge and sporran top both carry the crest of a right (dexter) hand holding a sword which belongs to the House of Inverinate, the Clan MacRae, and therefore, definitely civilian….

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Editor’s Notebook: Cowal Gathering/ Peter MacFarquhar/ Masters of Piobaireachd/ Reminders/ Kinglassie PB

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There are strong rumours, more than that actually, that next year’s Cowal Grade 1 pipe band competition is to be given a significant cash boost: a four figure first prize, perhaps circa. £2,000. Good money for the places too, with a total fund of £5,000. That would put Cowal back on the pipe band map wouldn’t it? Last year there was no G1 contest. I’m still hoping that some sort…

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History: Pipe Bands in the East of Scotland Part 3

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The response to these articles has been particularly encouraging and I am grateful to reader Ian Sword for forwarding this very interesting photograph [above]. Iain writes: ‘I enclose a photograph of Kinglassie and District Colliery Pipe Band winning the Grade 2 Scottish Pipe Band Championship at Blairgowrie in 1948, under the leadership of Pipe Major Sandy Burnside. ‘It was taken when I competed with the band on my 12th birthday…

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