History: Iconic Bagpipemaker Peter Henderson’s Catalogue from the 1930s Part 2

We continue with our look at the Peter Henderson catalogue from the 1930s. It has a full page on how to make your own bag seasoning. In these days everyone played either sheepskin or hide bags. There were few proprietory brands of seasoning. Of those that did exist, Robertson’s ‘Airtight’ was the market leader. The recipe for this mixture was bought by John Weatherston of RG Hardie & Co in…

Be a Better Piper: Learning Canntaireachd, the Piper’s Language

The non piobaireachd player may be wondering what this ‘canntaireachd’ (pronounced approximately ‘can-cher-ach’) is. No mystery, no big deal. It’s just mouth music, a sort of formulated diddling common in folk traditions the world over. In Scotland, when we had a sense of humour, it has been characterised in the music hall as ‘heedrum-hawdrum’, or, when inverted for comic effect by the Glasgwow folksinger Matt McGinn, ‘you haw der um…

Aboyne Highland Games Set For August Return

After an absence of three years, organisers have confirmed that Aboyne Highland Games will be held this August, writes Ian McLaren. The traditional Royal Deeside event, which attracts up to 10,000 visitors, will take place on Saturday, 6 August.  It will mark the first time since 2019 that the games has been staged, after being cancelled for the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Aboyne Green will come to…

Duncan Johnstone Memorial Results

This competition for junior professionals was held today at the National Piping Centre, Otago Street and McPhater Street, Glasgow. There were large entries in all categories. Each section winner is pictured above. B Grade Piobaireachd1 Ben Mulhearn2 Greig Canning3 Ross Miller4 Jamie Elder5 Brodie Watson-MasseyJudges: C Armstrong, S Samson B Grade MSR1 Ciaren Ross2 John Dew3 Jamie Elder4 Fraser Allison5 Jonathon SimpsonJudges: A Henderson, G McCready Open Jig1 Calum Watson2…

Queen Victoria School Seeks New Pipe Major/ Canadian Piping Society Launches Newsletter

The Ministry of Defence are seeking ‘to appoint a Pipe Major who strives to continuously improve the high standards of piping at Queen Victoria School, Dunblane, including ensuring that piping students have opportunities to gain formal (SQA) qualifications in the subject. ‘The Pipe Major will also take an active role in the promotion of Queen Victoria School through regular attendance, along with the whole pipe band and, potentially, the Highland…