PP Editor’s Blog: Falkirk Tryst Competition etc.

Blue MacMurchie reports: On Saturday the 10th of October the 6th annual Falkirk Piping Recital competition and the 4th Annual MacMurchie Contest was held at Trinity Kirk in Falkirk, a venue with wonderful acoustics much appreciated by the audience, pipers and judges. Due to a number of unforeseen family commitments the turnout of pipers was poor but the standard was as per other years – extremely high by those who played. The Falkirk…

PP Editor’s Blog: Poll Result for Major Championships/ Games Solo League/ World Drumming

It seems that most people are of the opinion that having the bulk of the major pipe band championships in and around Glasgow is a good thing. The majority of those who took part in our poll were in favour. However there was a significant group who felt that these important championships should be spread around more, and 20% believed Ireland should have the opportunity of staging the Worlds. Here’s how…

NI Piper of the Year/ Piobaireachd by the Sea

Organiser Ken Stewart reports: ‘The annual Piper of the Year competition was held last Saturday in the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena. This competition is promoted by the Northern Ireland Piping Society and is an invitation only event. Competitors are selected on merit determined by their competition results, in Ireland, during the current year. ‘Each player is required to compete in the MSR and Piobaireachd sections with the Piper of…

Donald MacPherson Medals Latest News from Auction Room / Re-Scheduled Roseneath: Draw and Judges

Donald MacPherson’s medals and trophies failed to sell when they came up for auction in Edinburgh today. There were no offers for the lot which went under the hammer at auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull this afternoon with a reserve price close to £12,000. The company’s Director of Silver and Jewelry, Trevor Kyle, told Piping Press: ‘Unfortunately there were no bidders today and the matter now reverts back to the family. There…

PP Editor’s Blog: Edith Cavell/ Nicol-Brown Contest/Gold Medal Tunes

Many will have read yesterday of the 100th anniversary of the death of heroine  Nurse Edith Cavell, executed for spying during WW1. She had served in a hospital in Belgium and treated Allied, German and Austrian soldiers but was executed by a German firing squad on October 12, 1915. Her death prompted outrage in Britain with thousands subsequently inspired to join up for the war effort.  Miss Cavell is buried at Norwich…