History: A Lament for GS McLennan

This is from a late 1970s article by journalist Alistair Campsie. Though often a controversial figure, Mr Campsie was a good writer. Some readers will know him through his entertaining but largely discredited book, ‘The MacCrimmon Legend: the Madness of Angus MacKay’. …. Just over 50 years ago, one of the biggest funeral processions ever seen in Aberdeen jammed the city centre with 20,000 mourners, three pipe bands and a…

Archie Kenneth Quaich Result/ CLASP Online Results

The Archie Kenneth Quaich 2024 was held in the rooms of the Royal Scottish Pipers Society last Saturday, 24th February. The winner was Arran King who is pictured above. The competition is promoted by the Piobaireachd Society. A large entry of 38 was reduced to 25 by ballot. Twenty-one played. Result: 1 Arran King, MacFarlane’s Gathering2 Edmund Boland, Andrew MacNeil of Colonsay3 Owain Woodman Carr, Little Spree4 Graham Farr, Catherine’s…

Editor’s Notebook: PPBSO Suspension/ Watson’s Contest/ Florida Academy/ Lewis Recital

The Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario have suspended one of their prominent members for 12 months, according to several reliable sources. I understand the suspension is in response to this individual’s consistently belligerent attitude towards the RSPBA with whom the Society have always had a good working relationship. The Society has been embarrassed into taking action but are refusing to discuss it. Well done to them for keeping…

Editor’s Notebook: John Burgess Gold Medal/ Recordings Mystery Solved/ Jimmy McIntosh Memorial/ Reminders

Referencing my earlier post about young lowlander Norman Graham being denied a place at the Northern Meeting in 1970, it occurred that special dispensation must have been given to John Burgess two decades earlier. We all know that John was the youngest ever winner of the Gold Medal when he was awarded the coveted prize in 1950 playing Castle Menzies. Twenty years later young Norman, also 16, was denied the…

Can you Help Identify this Piobaireachd Player?

Breton piper Youn Pensec has written from France: ‘I want your help for my search about an old  piper. I have numbered old recordings on wide band tape made about 1960 by a lover of piobaireachd in my bagad (Auray). ‘The recordings were given to me by a friend with no name of the piper or the tunes. I have recognised Pass of Crieff, Patrig Og, Viscount of Dundee, Battle…