Piping Among the Bretons – A History, Part 1

This article is taken from the March, 1968, edition of the US-based magazine ‘Piping World’. Though more than half a century has passed since its publication it will be particularly instructive to those readers who know little of the piping tradition in that part of the world. The peninsula which juts out some one hundred and eighty miles into the Atlantic from the northwest corner of France comprises the ancient…

Piper in the Cave of Melody With His Own Hebridean Overture on the Magical Isle of Staffa

The Island of Staffa lies to the west of Mull. It was once part of the Clan Macquarrie lands along with Ulva and a few other surrounding Islands. In 1772 a single family lived on Staffa trying to farm sheep, but due to winter storms and hard living they were not there for very long. The only structure to be seen today is the remains of a 19th century shelter…

Editor’s Notebook: Pandemic Problems for Manufacturers and State School Bands/ N Ireland Show the Way/ Tune for Cameron

All of our bagpipe and Highland supplies companies are needing business right now. First year pandemic they got by; this year is proving much more difficult. The phone’s not ringing the way it used to, the mail is drying up. Furlough money (UK government support) is being reduced and staff lay-offs are a possibility for some. Everyone in the piping community should help if they can by ordering that new…

Judging at Grandfather Mountain Games 2021

Ed Krintz and I judged a very high standard piping event at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in Linville, North Carolina, on July 10. The venue has often been likened to the Braemar Highland Gathering. Below is a summary of the competition Ed and I worked on. The photos show the lovely weather and how well-attended the event was. We had the pleasure of judging the Open Piobaireachd. Grandfather Mountain Highland…

Responses from Readers to Our Report on Piping Tuition in Scotland’s State Schools

Thanks to all those who responded to my story about the teaching of piping in schools, writes the Editor. You may have missed the printed comments from Claire MacPherson and George Barlow, so here they are again. Claire first: ‘I wholeheartedly agree. Music must be at the very core [of our education system] and every child deserves to have the opportunity to experience our amazing musical heritage and take it…