Today we have the penultimate batch of piping photographs from desktop wizard Ronan Maguire of St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band, Dublin. Ronan has generously given his time and expertise to clean, enhance and and/or colour a whole host of historic piping pictures. More than that he has kindly made them available to PP readers as free downloads. The first picture today is from the Argyllshire Gathering, Oban, in 1970. Ronan…

There is no doubt that the year 2020 was a total disaster for the piping and pipe band community in many respects as a result of COVID-19, but one positive aspect which did emerge was the tremendous interest, fellowship and community spirit which exists in piping and pipe band music worldwide.  This depth of interest may not normally be publicised widely and may not be well understood by members of…

This was the 25th anniversary of the NPC Junior Competition and the first time the event has been held online due to the pandemic and lockdown. While we missed hosting the competition in The National Piping Centre, the online format allowed us to add six more categories to the competition, including a new Freestyle competition. By Andrew Bova Additionally, we had a record entry this year with 132 competitors, including…

McCallum Bagpipes have produced a new catalogue for their Classic Bagpipes range. If you are a PP advertiser why not let us know about your new products and company developments. You’ll reach thousands of potential customers every day. Check out McCallum’s high quality catalogue here: Download a copy here. Elaine Lee at Balmoral Schools: ‘Balmoral has made some additions to our Winter Workshop curriculum that we’re hoping you might let…

I hope I did not strike too optimistic a note yesterday but I think it important we keep a realistic outlook. Our enemies are not only the virus but ennui and waning interest, particularly among the young. We owe it to the music and the tradition to make sure we come out of the other side of this intact – which we will do. Piping Press will keep filling your…