MacRobert the Piper, the Finger Lock and a Heartbroken Lover

In this article we follow the story of a man who learned to play the pipes from the Rankins on the island of Mull. Originally from Ireland, he ended up living on the isle of Skye. The story starts when the laird of Muckairn (Taynuilt, the village a few miles east of Oban) employs two men from Ireland, one a blacksmith called Robert and the other a harpist called David….

Teaching Job in Dundee/ Glowing Review for Tutor 1 in French/ Robbie’s New Blowstick

The High School of Dundee is looking for a new, part-time, piping instructor to work two days a week under P/M David Wilton. The job spec states: ‘The successful applicant should have an extensive knowledge of, and be an expert practitioner in, the bagpipes. ‘In addition, he or she should be able to tune a pipe band and perhaps step in as pipe major of any school band if required….

Editor’s Notebook: Pipes Lead National Remembrance/ Fire Service Bands/ The Fints Were First Worlds Drumming Winners/ Strathallan Drummer Quest

The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards did piping proud at yesterday’s Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London. Britain’s day of thanks for the sacrifice of the fallen was restricted in numbers because of the pandemic, but the RSDG sounded loud, well tuned and clear as they performed the Skye Boat Song and Flowers of the Forest. It is always pleasing to see the national…

CLASP ‘Online Video Submission’ Competition Results

Please find attached the results from The CLASP ‘Video Submission’ Competition. We had a large entry across all grades and the competition attracted pipers from all over the world.  There’s a new CLASP competition announcement for January 2021. Due to the ongoing pandemic and restrictions, we have scheduled the next event as a ‘Video Submission’ competition. Details are online via the News Section of the CLASP website and entries will be…

Donald MacLeod Memorial Competition Cancelled

The Donald MacLeod Memorial Competition, scheduled to be recorded at the National Piping Centre on November 27 has been cancelled due to travel difficulties associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. At the moment travel is discouraged between areas of Scotland which have a differing prevalence of the virus. Glasgow is currently in Tier 3 of infection. Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, with low infection rates, is in Tier 1. This meant…