History: P/M Donald MacLeod As I Knew Him

Next month sees the annual Donald Macleod Memorial competition in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. Few people knew the late pipe major as intimately as the author of this article for whom Donald wrote the popular 2/4 march ‘P/M Jim McWilliams’…….  Today everyone can look up the achievements of Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE on Wikipedia. However, you can’t get to know or appreciate what a fine man he was from lists of facts….

Juvenile Pipe Bands Get More Assistance from the RSPBA/ Preston Lodge Contest

Juvenile and Novice Juvenile Pipe Bands have received a boost with the decision by the RSPBA to apportion 1% of their annual surplus to the National Juvenile Pipe Band Fund. The Fund was established in 2015 to help theses bands pay for buses and other running costs. The Association’s Board of Directors took the decision last year following a proposal by Finance Director Kenny Crothers, Northern Ireland. It has also been…

PP Ed’s Blog: Ian’s Birthday/ Florida Sell Out/ New Piobaireachd/ Patrick Mor

Firstly congratulations to P/M Ian McLellan BEM on his 80th birthday. It hardly seems anytime at all that we used to see him marching off with his brilliant Strathclyde Police Pipe Band and yet another Worlds trophy. Ian remains the most successful Worlds winner of all time though the equally brilliant Richard Parkes and FMM are running him close. Whatever; no one can change history and the music Ian’s band…

PP Ed’s Blog: Army Pipers/ Band Sizes/ Hector the Hero/ SPA/ Preston Lodge

Ian McAlister has added to the debate on a cap on band sizes. Ian writes: ‘I have said for a while we need to limit numbers in bands. I would have a maximum squad number and maximum playing number into force to allow a bit of cover for holidays etc, perhaps a maximum of 18 pipers playing with max of 21 in the squad. ‘This would make more players available…

Piping Tutors/ Pipe Majors Wanted for South Ayrshire and Craigmount

South Ayrshire Council are looking for a part-time teacher of piping. Pay scale is £14,925.60 to £19,841.40 per year for 21 hours working at various schools in the region per week.The blurb reads: ‘What is the role? You will provide a quality music instruction service in various schools within South Ayrshire including primary and secondary.   ‘Extra information: The Grade of this post is Music Instructor scale. This post is considered to be…