Piping Press

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,…

Following on from our articles on the Ford Motor Company Pipe Band and the Detroit Highlanders, correspondent Steve Thomson has forwarded another great picture (above). Steve writes: ‘This one from a parade in Detroit in 1910. Not sure who the players are (perhaps some of your intrepid readers will assist?). At that time these are likely immigrant Scots. The local St Andrews Society here [in Detroit] was founded in 1849…

By Chris Earl, President, Pipe Bands Australia Entries are now closed for Diamond Jubilee year Australian Pipe Band Championships. Bands from every state and Singapore have entered championships to be held in Maryborough, Victoria, on 4 and 5 April.  The championships are being hosted by Maryborough Highland Society for the second time. The society also hosted the first Australian titles in January 1961 following formation of the Australian Federation of…