Travelling the World as a Pipe Band Adjudicator – Part 2

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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…

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Piping and Pipe Band Season Looks Likely to Start in July

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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…

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Travelling the World as a Pipe Band Adjudicator

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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…

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

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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…

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The Sailor’s Lament, a new Tune Commemorating the Loss of 200 US Sailors in WW2

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This week saw the anniversary of a shipping disaster which cost the lives of more than 200 US sailors. The tragic story of the USS Truxtun and USS Pollux has inspired a piobaireachd from Barry Shears, the well known piper of Cape Breton. It was commissioned by the Shasta Piping Society for their upcoming collection of modern piobaireachd….. The story of the USS Truxtun and USS Pollux is tragic one, and most likely not well known to…

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