Piping Press

A report by leading musicians and scientists has labelled the media’s demonising of the playing of pipes and other woodwind instruments during the Covid-19 pandemic as ‘simply wrong’ and that when suitable mitigations are in place the practice posed no aditional risk at social gatherings. Their comprehensive report is entitled ‘Following the Science: A systematic literature review of studies surrounding singing and brass, woodwind and bagpipe playing during the COVID-19…

By the Editor Over last weekend I judged the Balmoral Classic junior amateur championship contest held annually in the US. This year it was a virtual event and thanks to excellent organisation it worked very well. My fellow judges, Jim MacGillivray (Canada) and Scott Walker (US), were sent video recordings of the pipers’ piobaireachd and MSR entries towards the end of the week. We came together on Saturday to make…

We continue with our look at the great pipers whose music marked the tragic era of the First World War…. Next we will consider P/M George Stewart McLennan of the Gordon Highlanders, GS as he was, and still is, known. He is pictured above in full ceremonial dress. GS was a child prodigy – at 10 years old he was commanded to play for Queen Victoria at Balmoral Castle.  He…

Good news this week on the Covid-19 vaccine. The British Government had wisely ordered millions of doses in advance and Scotland will, rightly, gets its proportionate share. Other scientists working on other vaccines will report soon on their efficacy, hopefully positive. Whether it will all be in time to save the 2021 pipe band season remains to be seen. It will take months to roll the jabs out to the…

This week saw the 100th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, and what better time to remind ourselves of the harrowing sacrifice of the men who fought, and the pipers and the music that accompanied them into battle – pipers who played at many a graveside and on many a route march too. To remind you….on one side in this conflict there…