I hope the RSPBA AGM devotes a good bit of time to a serious discussion on band sizes…or at least appoints a working group to examine properly the reasons for the decline in the number of pipe bands in Scotland. With only six Grade 1 bands and reductions further down the pecking order, this is not something that should be dismissed lightly under the banner ‘it’s all been tried before…
Pity those who weren’t at Otago Street last Saturday for the 79th Annual Uist & Barra Professional. We heard two piobaireachd that would have won any competition anywhere – and I’m talking senior events at Oban/ Inverness – and some flowing ceòl beag that wasn’t to be sniffed at either. By Robert Wallace The two tunes I mention were from Callum Beaumont and Finlay Johnston. There wasn’t a gossamer strand…
This competition was held today, March 7, at the Piping Centre in Otago Street, Glasgow. There was an appreciative audience throughout the day. Eleven invited pipers competed. Invitations were based on success at the major competitions in 2025. Ceòl Mòr for the Glasgow Highland Club Medal1 Finlay Johnston, £220, Donald Gruamach’s March2 Callum Beaumont, £175, My Dearest on Earth Give Me Your Kiss3 Connor Sinclair, £110, Port Urlar 4 Angus MacColl,…
To Otago Street tomorrow for the Uist & Barra. A stellar line up of top pipers should guarantee some excellent music. Those playing are Callum Beaumont, Calum Brown, Sandy Cameron, Ben Duncan, Jamie Forrester, Finlay Johnson, Steven Leask, Angus MacColl, Sarah Muir, Connor Sinclair, and Brodie Watson-Massey. New Piping Convenor, Innes Scullion, tells me that the invites have all been based on a transparent list of qualifying events – just…
The Piobaireachd Society’s Annual Conference has been switched to a new venue following a fire at a hotel in Perth. A blaze in the kitchen has forced the temporary closure of the Royal George Hotel, the home for the conference for the past four years. The new venue for 2026 is the Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling. All arrangements, meals, rooms etc. are as per the Royal George. The conference…
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