My Father, P/M Robert Reid – Part 5

We continue with our correspondence from Robert Reid jnr. to Jimmy McIntosh. This abridged letter is dated 28th September, 1993. In the firing line are judges and professional pipers…. My father had quite a varied career in that his first job was as a piper and dancer in a music hall company touring Germany before the First World War. Being a champion boy dancer and piper he attracted quite a…

Angus MacColls Recital/ Balmoral Classic Results

The Lewis and Harris Piping Society have announced a recital evening featuring Angus MacColl and his son Angus jnr. Katie Laing reports: ‘The next recital in this winter’s programme will be held on Friday 17th November in the Caladh Hotel in Stornoway at 7.30pm. The guest artists will be Angus D MacColl from Benderloch near Oban, and his son Angus J MacColl. ‘Angus Senior has been a world class piper for…

Editor’s Notebook: Northern Winter School/ Callum Beaumont/ Croydon BB/ Hero Piper/

To Germany today for the Northern Winter School. It has attracted its usual large crop of students, evidence of the sustaining interest in piping and drumming in that country. But not everywhere in Europe is doing so well. Looking around we can detect a falling off in a Scandinavia, once so strong. Where are the schools in Denmark and Sweden? Maybe there is stuff happening that I am unaware of….

Archie Kenneth Quaich/ Talk Piobaireachd/ London Draw

The Piobaireachd Society has announced details of entry for their popular amateur ceòl mòr competition. the Archie Kenneth Quaich. The picture shows the 2023 winner Matthew Kirkwood sporting the winners’ banner. The 32nd competition is on Saturday, 24th February 2024, in the rooms of the Royal Scottish Pipers Society, 127 Rose St South Lane, Edinburgh EH2 4BB, at 9.30am.  Entries and enquiries to: peter.mccalister@doctors.org.uk. Closing date 7th January 2024. Competitors should submit two tunes with…

Piper Identification – Clan MacRae Link? / Scots Guards KO Result / Winter Storm Info

Some information  for Cailean Maclean, writes Iain Duncan. I’ve been mulling over the photo identified as ‘Robertson, Skye,’ and I’d say with confidence this photo is post WWI, perhaps late 1920s, and he’s a civilian band piper.   His Glengarry cap-badge and sporran top both carry the crest of a right (dexter) hand holding a sword which belongs to the House of Inverinate, the Clan MacRae, and therefore, definitely civilian….