Piping Press

Covid -19: It is too early to get drastic but all pipers must observe with more vigilance than ever the normal hygiene practices associated with our instrument. Keep that practice chanter clean, wash out the blowstick and bag with warm water and mild disinfectant. Don’t swap and share. Will there may soon be a need for pipe majors to use antiseptic wipes every time they test a chanter or tune…

It is with sadness that it was learned that Ian Fraser, affectionately known as ‘The Sheriff’, passed away in a care home in Grantown-on-Spey, Moray. Ian had celebrated his 90th birthday in December 2019. For many years he had a small agricultural holding at West Forigen, near Carrbridge, Inverness-shire. His parents had been there before he took over its running. His piping teachers were among the best: Pipe Major William Ross…

By Robert Wallace I remember the day well. It was Aberdeen 1970. The Worlds. Shotts first Muirheads second in Grade 1. Apart from Shotts’ big win (Hills of Alva or Peter MacKenzie Warren set?) what was significant was that they had done so playing a medley, not an MSR. The conspiracy theorists back then said John MacAllister had worked his magic with the RSPBA to get them to change the…

By Our Special Correspondent The practice is done, the preparation in train, and the first of the significant indoor competitions falls this Sunday, March 8. Notwithstanding the virus concerns, organisers are pressing ahead. From far and wide six hundred of boys and girls, all pipers and drummers, will gather and compete in the 2020 Scottish Schools Championships. Convergence on Kilmarnock, that Ayrshire town of renown, to the William McIlvanney Campus,…

The Florida Pipe & Drum Academy concluded after an excellent week of study and good fun – shame about the weather, cold and wet to begin with, writes Robert Wallace. We spent the last day of the trip at the North East Florida Highland Games where it was good to catch up with piping judges John Bottomley, John Rechnagel, Al MacMullin, Jim Dillahey and Bill Caudill, and they kindly invited…