Major John M. Allan MBE 1934-2024

The death has been reported of Major John Allan MBE. He passed away peacefully at Castlehill Care Home, Cradlehall, Inverness. He was 89. Major Allan (Queen’s Own Highlanders) was Director of Army Bagpipe Music from 1981–1990. Only last week his former graduates at the school presented him with a tune as a thank you for all he did for them during their time at the Army School then based in…

Final Details and Draws for Annual Scottish Pipers’ Association Professional Competition

Final details and draws for the Scottish Pipers’ Association annual professional competition next Saturday (April 6) have been announced. The competition is sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society, and the Competing Pipers’ Association. 8am Main doors open to NPC McPhater Street, Glasgow8.30am Auditorium C Piobaireachd, 28 competitors8.30am Collinson Room: Open March and Strathspey & Reel, 26 competitors8.30am Robertson Room: C Grade March and Strathspey & Reel, 28 competitors1pm Collinson Room: Open…

Lochaber Juniors/ Donald MacLeod Memorial

Lochaber Piping Society’s annual youth piping and drumming competition was held on Saturday, March 23, in the Gaelic Primary School, Caol, Fort William. Adjudicators were P/M Alistair Duthie, Jon Don MacKenzie, Moira Robertson, P/M DJ MacIntyre and Brian Graham (drumming), writes Ken Cameron, President. We had 60 entries across fifteen classes and the total number of individual performances was 134. While the number of contestants was encouraging, comment has been…

Letter on Alistair Campsie Book/ RSPBA Calendar/ Gordonstoun Trip

I do sometimes wonder about those writings on piping where the ‘shop window’ is so immensely off-putting that we never look further at the goods behind it, writes reader David Livingstone. The writings of Alasdair Campsie on the MacCrimmons and the pibroch settings of Simon Fraser immediately spring to mind. It is clear that the MacCrimmons existed and were eminent and respected pipers, but everything we currently know and take…

Duncan Johnstone Memorial Results 2024

This competition for junior professionals was held today (Sat., March 23) at the Piping Centre, Otago Street and McPhater Street, Glasgow. There were large entries in all categories, 34 in the C Piobaireachd and C MSR, and 23 in the B Piob and 24 in the B MSR.  Despite this, all events were completed by 5.30pm and the prizegiving finished just after 6pm.  B Grade Piobaireachd, Barbara Gillies Trophy1 Luke…