PP Academy: Three Experts Offer Advice on How to Play Reels

Piping Press is a free resource for all pipers and pipe bands. Our aim is to educate, inform and entertain. Our learning pages, under the banner of PP Academy, have lots of advice and knowledge on how to be a better piper or band and cover all aspects of performance and tuning. Click on the highlighted PP Academy link above or the Tuition tab at the top of this page…

PP Ed's Blog: Reflections on NZ/ Silver Medal Tunes/ SPA AGM/ Schools Trust Job

Reflecting on my recent visit to New Zealand I really must doff the bonnet to all those pipers who, over many years, have made the long trek to the Northern Hemisphere to compete at Oban and Inverness (and bands who get the cash and time together to do the same to compete at the Worlds). Only when you’ve done it do you really appreciate the commitment required – and it…

History: Pipe Major Donald MacLeod Piping Profile from 50 Years Ago

The following is taken from the September 1967 edition of ‘Piping World’ an American-based magazine edited by the late Donald Varella….. So often we hear someone or other referred to as ‘being a piper’. And in most cases the person spoken of could equally well be described a being a philatelist, a gardener, or a missionary; for although he can’t lay his hands on it just now, he began his stamp…

Row Over Comments Made by Colin MacLellan Reach National Press

The judging storm over comments made by Solo Piping Judges Association Chairman Mr Colin MacLellan about the teaching ability of one of his members, Mr Barry Donaldson, has been picked up by the national press in Scotland. The debacle was first highlighted in Piping Press and has been on going since last autumn. The Scottish Daily Mail headline their story ‘Battle of the Bagpipes – blow for reputation of pastime…

Piping at Waipu Highland Games, New Zealand, New Year's Day 2018

Waipu Highland Games on New Zealand’s North Island are 147 years old making them one the longest established on any continent, writes the Editor. The piping is very well run with good prize money. I judged the senior events with Stuart Finlayson. It was a pleasure to work with Stuart as it as was to meet up with Reid Maxwell of SFU who was over from Vancouver to do the…