Happy Hogmanay/ Piper in Austria/ Pipe Band Ship Launch/ Eagle Pipers 1970

There are many good reasons to enjoy Hogmanay this evening not least of which is that when numbskull politicians dictate we should do something it is wise to carry on as before. Piping at ‘the Bells’ in your home is perfectly safe and outside cheering up the neighbours even safer. Cancelling Hogmanay is the sort of torture no true Scot should have to endure. It’s on a par with the…

Donald Morrison Archive: A Final Look at His Music, Newspaper Clippings and Letters

This will be our final instalment from Donald’s archive for now. It ties in neatly with the publication of his book of tunes announced last week (above). For earlier articles in this series type ‘Donald Morrison’ in our search field. We begin with another letter from Seton Gordon, the piping judge, naturalist and friend of royalty. It is dated November 6, 1973 and he writes to Donald from Upper Duntuilm,…

Irish PBA Produce Five Year Plan and Re-work Constitution and Teaching Manuals/ Blackthorn Pipers/ Balmoral Teaching Weekend

I have for some time been copied into communications which the Irish Pipe Band Association issue to their member bands, writes Gilbert Cromie. Recently I received a number of documents which have been sent out for consideration and discussion ahead of the organisation’s Annual General Meeting which is scheduled to take place via Zoom on the 22nd January 2022 at 2.00pm. The IPBA, like its RSPBA NI Branch neighbours, have…

Book of Tunes by Donald Morrison Re-Issued in Digital Format

Thirty five years ago Donald Morrison, the Champion PIper and noted composer, compiled a book of tunes. It was never properly marketed and when Donald died in 1988 interest in it lapsed. Recent correspondence with his daughter Sheona MacDonald and Piping Press editor Robert Wallace led to its being re-compiled in digital format and it is now offered to the public as an e-book. Sheona said: ‘I am delighted with…

Piping in WW2: Heroes of the Scottish Pipers’ Association

The second excerpt from Jeannie Campbell’s history of piping 1939-1945 which first appeared in Pipe Band magazine in 2007……. During the war years the Scottish Pipers’ Association continued to meet in Glasgow and to run their amateur/juvenile competitions. At the beginning of the War, Malcolm MacLean Currie was the Association Secretary. The full committee is pictured above in 1936. Malcolm Currie had served during the First World War as P/M…