Shotts: Band President and Chairman Talk of Future for the Band

Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band have a new leading drummer. He’s Andrew Lawson and he takes over after 12 years playing under former leading tip, the world-renowned Jim Kilpatrick. Andrew’s immediate task will be to fill several vacancies in the Shotts corps which resulted from the recent changeover. Ewan McAllister, Band Chairman, said ‘Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band has a long and successful history. Andrew will help lead…

Captain John MacLellan Memorial Competition: Updated with Pix and Comment

This was a superbly run event, writes the Editor, a model of its kind, and one that deserves much more support than it gets. It was once more a credit to the promoters, the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming and the Competing Pipers’ Association. Senior Pipe Major Martin Macdonald was responsible for the brilliant organisation in the absence of Major Steven Small, the Army School Director who…

Captain John MacLellan Memorial Competition

This was a superbly run event, writes the Editor, a model of its kind, and one that deserves much more support than it gets. It was once more a credit to the promoters, the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming and the Competing Pipers’ Association. Senior Pipe Major Martin Macdonald was responsible for the brilliant organisation in the absence of Major Steven Small, the Army School Director who…

Support Needed for Juvenile Pipe Band Concerts and New Fund

The very active and popular  Ross and Cromarty Pipes and Drums School are holding three concerts later this month. The school is led by one of Scotland’s top pipers, double Gold Medallist Niall Matheson, and as you would expect play to a high standard. The concerts are on November 23/24/25 in Tain, Invergordon and Dingwall. Tickets are available locally or at the door and are priced at £8, Concessions £5 and Family…

PP Editor’s Blog: Edinburgh Police/ John Burgess/ Andy White/ John MacLellan Contest

One thing I forgot to mention in my report on the London Championship 10 days or so ago was breakfast. Not what I had, but who I was sitting with: three Grade Two World Pipe Band Champions no less. They were Dr Jack Taylor who lifted the trophy with Buchan Petersen in 2013, Walter Cowan (left) who did the same as P/M of the Annan Ex-Servicemen’s band and Archie Maclean…