SFU Worlds 1995 Video Part 2/ RSPBA on Covid/ Report: Virus Can Travel Five Metres

Kevin Maclean of the Simon University Pipe Band: ‘I just wanted to let you know about Part 2 of our mini-documentary about the band’s 1995 World Championship win. There’s a bit of a write-up as well as all of the videos here.‘ The band is pictured above with their trophies in 1995. The story begins: To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band’s first victory at…

The Glorious Effect – A Must Watch Film for All Lovers of Ceòl Mòr

This marvellous short film was produced by the BBC in the early 1980s, and seeks to explain piobaireachd to the wider public. Not only does it do so from a historical perspective, but also from a performer’s, and the examination of the solo scene at the time is masterful. The film is 50 minutes long and there are interviews with many famous characters, and glimpses of others who are now…

How the Local Paper Reported the 1970 World Pipe Band Championship

No sooner had we made our request for information on the 1970 ‘First Grade 1 Medley Worlds’ held at Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen, than reader Trevor Clydesdale came up with the goods. Trevor kindly forwarded cuttings from the local Press & Journal newspaper, relevant excerpts from their report below…. THE BEST pipe band in the World – that’s Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band. Under Pipe Major T. McAllister. Jun., they pipped…

Editor’s Notes: ‘Crunluath’ on Alba/ Medley Worlds/ Peel Police Results/ Jeannie at Cowal

Listening to BBC Alba’s ‘Crunluath’ programme on Saturday you realised what you had been missing by way of live music. Host Catriona MacNeill played excerpts from the 2019 Northern Meeting, and like her predecessor Cailean Maclean, let the music do the talking. Two full piobaireachd, three six-tune MSRs and a hornpipe & jig made for an hour or so of absorbing piping with terrific performances from Jack Lee (pictured), Bruce…

Looking Back: Eagle Pipers and John MacLellan/ Iain MacFadyen at Lochearnhead/ Eagles Results 1973

The following interesting reports are from the Oban Times, circa 1961…. Congratulations ….. The unique recognition accorded to Pipe Major John MacLellan in his commissioning as the first ever officer piper in the Army has given immense pleasure to all lovers of piping as well as to a host of friends both here as well and overseas. The announcement that he had been granted Queen’s Commission in the rank of…