Piping Press

The draw for next Saturday’s Silver Chanter (Aug 8) has been announced as follows: 1) Connor Sinclair – Lament for Donald Ban MacCrimmon2) Stuart Liddell – Lament for the Children3) Sarah Muir – Lament for the Earl of Antrim4) Callum Beaumont – Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck5) Iain Speirs – Lament for MacSwan of Roaig6) Fred Morrison – Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon More details here. The editor has compiled this memorial to his…

Pipe Major Alex M MacIver was one of the men behind the incredible success of the 214 Boys Brigade Pipe Band in Glasgow. He led the band to unprcedented success for a juvenile band at the time from post WW2 until 1980. A soldier, piper, pipe tutor and life long supporter of the Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association, Alex is now the subject of a radio programme about his life….

By Robert Wallace It is with sincere regret that I report the passing of Tommy Johnston, one of the great characters of pipe band drumming and piping, much loved father of Finlay and joint proprietor of world famous reedmaking company Pipe Dreams. Tommy passed away in hospital last night after a short illness aged only 65. His loss will be felt by all who knew him and his hundreds of…

The composing competition for a tune to mark next year’s 150th Anniversay of the Argyllshire Gathering has been won by ex-Scots Guards Pipe Major Iain Lowther. Iain receives the only prize of £1,000 and a certificate marking his achievement. His tune was the unanimous choice of the judging panel comprising P/M James Banks MBE, Robert Wallace, President of the Piobaireachd Society and Editor of Piping Press, and John Wilson formerly…

By Robert Wallace There were a few points I missed in my ‘nightmare scenario’ comments last week. The first is the plight of our bagpipe making/ Highland supplies industry. Orders are slowing. Without pipe band competition, and to a lesser extent solo contests, the future does not look good. The blow to these companies is being offset at the moment by the UK government’s furlough scheme which guarantees 80% of…