Piping & Drumming Upsurge in South West Scotland Thanks to Local Academy

There is great work being done for piping and drumming by the South West Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy. Building on a tradition established by John Cowan, Walter Cowan (pictured instructing above), Alfie Geddes, Ian Clowe, Jim McConnachie and the late Tony MacDonald, the South West Scotland Piping & Drumming Academy is forging ahead with a programme of tuition which is sure to produce many top-level players if not champions in…

P/M Bob Kilgour MBE, Scots Guards, 1924 -2017

We regret to report the passing of P/M Robert Kilgour late of the Scots Guards. P/M Kilgour died at his home in Edinburgh.  Bob Kilgour was born in Edinburgh in 1924 and in 1940 he received a practice chanter for his birthday and started to learn piping thus, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. He joined the Scots Guards in 1944. He attained the rank of Pipe Major of…

PP Ed’s Blog: South Florida Academy/ History Pic/ Fred Morrison Recital/ Cardenden Tune

Noah Morrissette of the South Florida Pipe and Drum Academy: Hello, I hope everyone has had an outstanding summer and competition season…unless you’re in South Florida. Competition season in Florida takes place during the winter and spring months. The South Florida Pipe and Drum Academy is five full days of world-class pipe and drum instruction. In the past we have had the academy run from Wednesday to Sunday. This has…

North America’s 35th Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Piping Competition

One of North America’s leading amateur competitions, the 35th Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Piping Competition, was held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 in the First Reformed Church of Scotia, Scotia, NY. Judges: Ian K. MacDonald, Whitby, Ontario, Andrew Lee, Surrey, British Columbia and Ben McClamrock, Baltimore, Maryland. Master of Ceremonies: Donald F. Lindsay and Daniel Cole. Overall Nicol-Brown Championship 1. ALISTAIR BEVAN (21 points) Prizes: air fare to compete in London in November 2018, sponsored by the…

Captain John MacLellan Memorial Results (pictures added)

More than 50 pipers took part in what was a very well run series of competitions at the Army School of Piping and Highland Drumming at Inchdrewer House, Edinburgh. There were nine competitions over four grades with everything completed by 4.30pm. Pictures courtesy Major Gordon Rowan, Director of Army Bagpipe Music. P Grade Overall Champion: Iain Speirs P Grade Piobaireachd: 1st: Iain Speirs 2nd: Callum Beaumont 3rd: Glenn Brown 4th: Faye…