New Book Available on John Macdonald, Inverness

The Piobaireachd Society and author John Shone have published a new book ‘Life, Times and Music of John Macdonald, Inverness’. It is considered an important work in that it contains previously unseen correspondence and the manuscript book of the man described by Sheriff JP Grant, Rothiemurchus thus: ‘Those who have heard him playing the ancient classical music of the Great Highland pipe will, if they have a spark of music…

Editor’s Notebook: College Film/ James Campbell Medal/ Soldier Piper in Romania/ Saturday Events

Tom Johnstone: Just stumbled across the College’s ‘Follow Me, I’m Right Behind You’ video today. Very entertaining and honest, and very moving about the College and its history and of course subsequent events. A few tears. On a parallel, John Nevans and I are are teaching a Swiss band called ‘Scotch Watch’ who will play in 4b at the Worlds and it is so similar! One guy in the band…

A Look Back at the Making of a Live Piping Album

Rob Boyd in California: ‘Dear Robert, Thank you very much for sharing the Piping Press Guide to the Games. You have no idea how much this is appreciated. ‘I was your steward at the Dan Reid Memorial in San Francisco many years ago. Your ‘Chance Was a Fine Thing’ is one of my all-time favourite recordings! If you ever have an opportunity to talk about the making of that album, I think…

Northern Ireland News: Kids with Cancer/ New Generator/ Ulster Solos/ New Chairman/ Beth Adger

The recent Kids with Cancer Charity Concert was an outstanding success and if you tune into the Big Rab Show YouTube channel you will be able to enjoy it yourself. Northern Ireland has hosted many top quality concerts throughout the years, featuring some of the greatest pipe bands of the modern era but the lineup that was brought together at the Royal Hotel, Cookstown, last month surely surpasses the best…

SPA Professional Contest 2025 – Full Results

The annual professional competition run by the Scottish Pipers’ Association was held at the Piping Centre in Glasgow today, April 12. There was a good entry in all categories. The competition was sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society and the Competing Pipers’ Association. Champion Piper was Angus MacPhee. Three prizes and five places in each category. President Logan Tannock thanked the stewards who were on duty throughout the day from early morning…