Editor’s Notebook: Glasgow Transport Band/ Season Restart/ NPC Lessons/ French Tutor 1/ Bruce Plays for Jimmy

Reader Leesa Watson; ‘I would love to have a copy of the attached picture [above] of the Glasgow Transport Pipe Band. My grandfather is in the picture. Please tell me how I can acquire this wonderful picture. Thank you very much.’ Download a copy here Leesa: Leesa found the picture via our story here. Here’s a short extract from it: ‘Glasgow Transport Department encouraged its employees to take part in…

Travelling the World as a Pipe Band Adjudicator – Part 2

During my time as an RSPBA adjudicator I judged in the USA on six occasions.  The first two of these were at Costa Mesa in Orange County, close to Los Angeles.  The first time I travelled over with the late and legendary Pipe Major Angus MacDonald MBE, formerly of the Scots Guards.  Angus was a hilarious companion during the trip.  When we arrived we joined up with Pipe Major Harry…

Piping and Pipe Band Season Looks Likely to Start in July

Well, what do you think? Chance of a season? Given what the Prime Minister announced on Monday we can start living again from June 21. And, if we can believe anything from the tartan collective in Holyrood these days, we in Scotland will be more less in step with that, writes the Editor. This means we can forget any band contests or Highland Games in May and June. I’m told…

Travelling the World as a Pipe Band Adjudicator

You may have read in my last instalment about my career and journeys as a drummer with the Edinburgh Police/ Lothian & Borders Police band. I was privileged to experience a much greater number of international assignments during my time as an RSPBA adjudicator.  The first competition I judged in Europe was at Swifterbant, near Amsterdam.  I was sent there on at least four occasions by Robert (Bob) Nichol, the…

More From Donald MacPherson in PP Audio Archive/ Barry Shears Plays his New Composition, The Sailor’s Lament

Just added to the revised Piping Press Audio Archive is the second half of a radio broadcast given by the great Donald MacPherson in 1972. A master of both ceòl beag and ceòl mòr, Donald was probably the best competitive piper of all time with a record of success in both disciplines which is unlikely to be beaten. The broadcast is given added interest in that it is introduced by…