Scottish Pipers’ Association Secures Sponsorship

One of Scotland’s oldest piping societies, the Scottish Pipers’ Association, has secured funding for its annual professional competition. The sponsor is McCallum Bagpipes who have agreed to donate a substantial sum of cash to the competition. SPA President Tom Johnstone said he was delighted to secure the money which guarantees the competition’s future: ‘I cannot thank this company enough. We are determined to restore the SPA Professional to status it…

Argyllshire Gathering Contestants for 2015 Announced

The Argyllshire Gathering has confirmed the following names for this year’s prestigious piobaireachd competitions to be held at Oban on August 26th, 2015. There will be 28 competing for the Silver Medal with two reserves, and 29 for the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal, no reserves. Last year’s winner of the Oban Silver Medal, Decker Forrest, is pictured above with the Duke of Argyll, the Chieftain of the Gathering. Read…

Niall Stewart Recital/ Pipes for Sale/ New Letters

Euan MacCrimmon reports: ‘Hi Rob, We had a fantastic recital from Niall Stewart [pictured above on the night, 20/2/15] on Friday night (70+ in audience) and Brian Yates of Inverness Piping Society has written a report – link attached.  The report has a link to Niall’s full list of tunes. Regards, Euan.’ Brian’s report begins: ‘Niall Stewart treated the packed house of 75 to a wonderful evening of piping. He gave a superb recital,…

Brighde Chaimbeul/ MacKenzie Cal./ History

Talented young piper Brighde Chaimbeul emerged victorious from last weekend’s National Piping Centre Junior solo competition, picking up first in Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey and Reel and second in Jigs and thus the overall prize. Brigdhe is continuing her well-deserved run of success which included the Scots Guards Junior Solos last autumn (see pic).[wds id=”3″] Dundee’s MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band have issued a new CD on the KRL label (see main…

New Band Competition Announced/SPA Winners

The Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch of the RSPBA has inaugurated a new competition for full pipe bands and solo drummers. The contest will take place on 25th April 2015; venue: Coatbridge High School. The band contest is indoor, full band and covers Grades 1 to Novice Juvenile and is open to all bands. Solo Drumming Sections are: Adult, entrants aged 18 years and over on date of contest, any…