Piping Press

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…

The Piobaireachd Society has announced the draw for the Archie Kenneth Quaich for amateur ceol mor: The competition will be held on February 29 in the rooms of the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society, Edinburgh.

We conclude Gilbert Cromie’s excellent article on the origins of the RUC pipe band, now the Police Service of Northern Ireland Pipes & Drums. Read Part 1 here.. Newly promoted, success in Grade 2 for the RUC was not easily achieved. The main challengers were the re-formed McDonald Memorial and the McNeillstown, Syerla and Dromara bands. But the RUC did manage wins at the Ulster, County Antrim and County Fermanagh…