Editor’s Notebook: A Sad, Sad Seven Days

What a grievous week this last. The passing of Bob Shepherd, Sandy MacPhee and Robert Turner represents a huge loss to piping and pipe bands. Sandy’s son Donald’s tribute to his father was touching and sincere. Sandy made a highly significant contribution to piping in the US and was respected on both sides of the Atlantic. Donald wrote: ‘Dad was not only my dad but also my primary bagpipe teacher….

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P/M Bob Shepherd MBE: A Tribute to one of the Great Pipe Band Figures of the 20th Century

With the passing of Bob Shepherd MBE piping and the pipe band community have lost one of its legendary personalities.  Bob will be remembered as a successful pipe band teacher and leader, an innovative manufacturer of piping products as well as someone who played an immense role in the progressive development of pipe band music.  Among his greatest attributes were his depth of understanding of bagpipes and pipe bands, his…

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Glenfiddich Championship 2019 Results

The Glenfiddich Champion for 2019 is Finlay Johnston, successfully defending his 2018 title. He was placed second in ceol mor and second in MSR to take the overall title. Runner-up overall was Connor Sinclair in his first appearance at this competition, with Glenn Brown in third. The annual competition was held as usual in the Great Hall at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Perthshire. Those unable to travel to the event were able to…

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Bob Shepherd’s Funeral Details

P/M RT (Bob) Shepherd’s family have passed on the following funeral details: The funeral will take place on Tuesday 5 November at 2.15pm at Kirkcaldy Crematorium, Rosemount Avenue, Kirkcaldy KY2 6HQ. Thereafter there will be a get together at the Dean Park Hotel, Chapel Level, Kirkcaldy KY2 6HF. Bob died last Thursday evening aged 81 after a long bout of illness. Tomorrow’s Piping Press will carry a special tribute to…

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P/M RT Shepherd MBE

It is with great regret that we report the passing of P/M RT Shepherd of Cardenden, Fife, and formerly of Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band. Bob was 81 and had been ill for some time. Bob Shepherd was a double winner of the World Pipe Band Championship and proprietor of his own bagpipe making firm. His instruments won countless major awards. As a teacher Bob was unsurpassed taking boys from…

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