Piping Press

The above photograph is from the British Legion piping competition 2002. I can identify some of those pictured ((l-r): Donald MacKay, Stuart Samson, ?, Jim Penman, Brian Donaldson, a very young Ben Duncan?, Ross McCrindle, ?, ? If anyone can fill in the gaps please pass on. I met Jim again recently at Bob Shepherd’s funeral and among other things he was telling me about the early days of his…

A very strong entry today at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow for their Annual Junior Solo competition. JuniorChampion was Luke Kennedy and the Novice Champion Euan Lindsay. Winners and their trophies are pictured above in front of the sponsors’ banners. Results: 15-17 Piob1 Luke Kennedy2 Gregor MacDonald3 Hazel Whyte4 Liam McElhinney5 Jamie Brownlie6 Jack McGowan 15 -17 MSR1 Gregor MacDonald 2 Christopher Happs3 Luke Kennedy4 Cameron May5 Hazel Whyte6…

The Board of the National Piping Centre are seeking applications for the post of Director of Piping to replace Roderick MacLeod, hitherto ‘Principal’ of the Centre, who is leaving the organisation in May. The advert reads: ‘The National Piping Centre (NPC) is a charity established to promote and encourage the study of the music and history of the Highland Bagpipe….. The new Director will lead the continuing development of the…

We are very grateful to Donald MacPhee, Gold Medallist, RSPBA Adjudicator and multiple Worlds winner with Field Marshal Montgomery, for this article and photographs detailing the important history of pipe bands associated with the booming motor industry in the US in the 1950s and 60s. My grandfather Donald MacPhee was a member of the Ford Pipe Band and worked for the Ford Motor Company for over 30 years after emigrating…

A new piobaireachd has been composed in memory of the late P/M Alasdair Gillies. It is by Niall Mathieson, for 10 years a colleague of Alasdair’s in the Queen Own Highlanders. Listen to the ground of Salute to Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies played by Niall here: Here is a score of the full tune courtesy of Niall: If you would like to download it you can do so here: Niall,…