The following article appeared in Pipe Band Magazine in 2000. It is by Highland Dress expert Bill Blacklaw formerly of the Gordon Highlanders. Much of Mr Blacklaw’s advice is still relevant today. The picture above shows P/M Alan Bevan and the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Canada with a front line from a few years ago. Notice the correct length of kilt, polished brogues (properly tied) and the glengarries…
Videos and audio files to accompany Bagpipe Tutor 3 – Piobaireachd are now live and can be accessed here. If you would like to learn piobaireachd (pronounced ‘pee-broch’ with the ‘och’ as in loch) then you can buy the book here: I was sorry to hear of the passing of Albert Duncan a friend and teaching colleague on many occasions out in Western Canada. Always smiling and willing to help,…
Greenville Highland Games Professional Piping, May 29, 2016 By Robert Wallace The most impressive aspect of the Jimmy McIntosh MBE piobaireachd competition (held as part of the Greenville SC Highland Games) was the level of musicianship of the participants. They demonstrated an understanding of time signatures and phrasing not always heard on the professional stage. Much of that can be credited to Jimmy himself. Now 90 and living in Anderson, South…
Two days before the first pipe band championship of 2016 at Paisley, one of the world’s top bands, Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia, have announced a new sponsorship deal. Car firm Peoples Ford will sponsor the band for at least one year with an option for a further term. The sponsorship, announced by Peoples chairman Brian Gilda, continues a link with the band stretching back more than 30 years when it performed…
With all his success as a pipe major it is easy to forget what a great solo piper P/M Ian McLellan was – a winner of all the big light music titles including Former Winners’ MSRs. Ian (above), you may not know, was also taught piobaireachd by Captain Andrew Pitkeathly in the Argylls, but band work took over and he didn’t have time to pursue it. He excelled at march…
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