US Clan Donald Contest/ CLASP Results

Major Bruce W Macdonald, Chairman of the Clan Donald Trust for the Gaelic Performing Arts, Charleston, South Carolina, USA: ‘I am pleased to advise that the videos from the fifth annual Scottish Performing Arts Classic in Charleston, South Carolina, are now available for viewing on the Robert Burns Society of Charleston’s website.’  Four invited pipers each play a piobaireachd. They were Nick Hudson, Phantom Piper of the Corrieyairick, Finlay Johnston,…

Scots Guards KO Result/ Strathmore Games Results

The final of the Scots Guards Knock Out was won by Brodie Watson-Massey, Edinburgh. A good crowd assembled in the SG Club Haymarket, Edinburgh, yesterday afternoon (June 8th) to hear the competition. Brodie is pictured above receiving his trophy from P/M Ian McLellan BEM, a regular attender at the SG KO. Brodie got the shout over Cameron May, Dillarburn, in one semi final. Cameron was last year’s winner. In the…

Review: The Lark in The Evening, a Concert by St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band

Many people will be surprised to know that St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band has never played a high profile concert in their home city. Sure, there have been some low-key performances over the years, but nothing as significant as this. The announcement of ‘The Lark in The Evening’ was therefore a very welcome development and sold out quickly. The 400-seater Lark Theatre in the North County Dublin town of Balbriggan…

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

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…

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

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 &…