Big Weekend for the Scottish Pipers’ Association

SPA President Tom Johnstone (above) has sent this: Firstly, to remind you that the SPA , founded in 1920, is now in it’s 100th year!Knockout Contest – 3rd Heat   The third heat of the Knockout featuring Steven Leask and Sarah Muir is this Saturday, 7th September, at NPC Otago St starting at 7.00pm for 7.30pm. This promises to be a great evening of piping as these two fine young players battle…

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Bygone Days at Cowal and 1947 World Championship

It was a pity Cowal Senior Solo piping was cancelled this year due to the clash of dates with the Northern Meeting competitions – but it couldn’t be helped. Just to rekindle some memories I have attached a photo [above] which might interest piping historians. It shows four Pipe-Majors taking a break from judging duties at Cowal. They are (l – r) Ronnie MacCallum (Inveraray), my father John Maclean (North…

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Entries Open for 80th Annual Competition of the Scottish Piping Society of London

The SPSL have sent this…. The weekend of Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd November marks the 80th Annual Competition of the Scottish Piping Society of London. The SPSL Committee has been very active over the last six months planning this year’s Annual Competition, and is delighted to announce that entries are now open, via the online entry form on the Society’s website: http://www.scottishpipingsocietyoflondon.co.uk/ The Committee took the decision to streamline…

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Reflections on the 2019 World Pipe Band Championships – Part 2

The Grade 1 Medley competition as always produced a varied range of tune selections, ingenuity, innovative approaches, intricate piping and drumming, quality playing to a very high level, and varied musical impacts.  For me the best musical performances were those which included a blend of traditional and contemporary tunes (melodic ones), tunes which fitted well together and avoided too long and complicated transitions, avoided complex harmonies and counter melodies where…

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Glasgow Police Appoint New Pipe Major

Niall West, Band Manager, Glasgow Police Pipe Band, sends the following announcement: Glasgow Police Pipe Band are delighted to announce the appointment of Alisdair McLaren [above] as Pipe Major. Alisdair has vast experience having previously been Pipe Major of Western Australia Police Pipe Band, before moving to the UK. He played during a successful period with Strathclyde Police before enjoying huge success with Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band. Alisdair is…

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