Category: Solo Piping

Editor’s Notebook: Champion of Champions/ Glass Chanter/ Ross Miller/ Inveraray Draw/ Book Search

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My view is that the RSPBA should have cancelled the Grade 1 contest at the Ingliston UKs tomorrow. It really is no contest at all when there are only three bands taking part. Nor does it do these bands any favours guaranteeing them Champion of Champions points for turning up. Should they place well in the final CoC tables they will always be condemned for their ‘UK appearance points’. No,…

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Champion of Champions Reaction/ Forres Games (updated)/ Australian Ladies

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Below are readers responses to Ian Forbes’s article on the allocation of points for the 2025 Grade 1 Champion of Champions title. Apart from other issues raised, Ian questioned the wisdom of the RSPBA automatically giving the three bands entered for Saturday’s G1 UK Championship six, five and four points towards the CoC title. George McIntyre: ‘Why should the three bands that have entered be penalised? After all it’s not…

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Review: ‘The Bagpipes: A Cultural History’ by Richard McLauchlan

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I am about to tell you about a book that includes among its photographs and images a picture of me drinking whisky directly from a bottle. And on that point, it can be said there has never been a book that features bagpipes quite like Richard McLauchlan’s ‘Bagpipes: A Cultural History‘. It has a broad reach: from the instrument’s pre-history over two millennia ago and Emperor Nero, to the Chilli Pipers…

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Cyril Hall, Zimbabwe

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I rose this morning to learn of the passing of Cyril Hall, Zimbabwe. His friend Aiton Shepherd wrote from Western Australia: ‘Cyril died last night in Mutare.  ‘His eldest son, Bobby, who lives here in Perth, phoned with the sad news. I admit to a few tears. The attached photo [above] was taken by Craig Sked a few years ago at the 100 Guineas solo piping competition in Johannesburg.  By the…

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Kenmore Games/ Johnstone Pipe Band/ Euro Draw

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Despite fluctuating weather forecast predictions, it turned out to be a warm, dry night at this week’s Kenmore Games, writes Jen Mackintosh.  Even the midgies were kind enough to hold off until nearly the end!  Although a small number of entries, it was a good competition with some fine playing, and judge Ronnie Clark was encouraging in his praise when speaking at the prize giving. Above are the winners pictured…

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