Just as the optimism rises you suddenly come to the realisation that I t is not looking good for piping and pipe bands. Two announcements in the last few days here in the UK have, in my estimation, put the kybosh on the 2021 season as we know it. Firstly the Chairman of Events Scotland, co-sponsors of the Worlds said that he thought it highly unlikely that there would be…

There has been a considerable number of tributes paid to Jimmy McIntosh who passed away yesterday aged 95 and we thought it sensible to group them together so that they could be better appreciated. There are messages from former pupils and many others who knew him well throughout his long life. Gary Hanley: ‘Good bye my old friend. You changed bagpiping in America with a steady hand and soft voice….

It is with sincere regret we announce the passing of one of the most influential pipers of the 20th century, Jimmy McIntosh MBE. He was 95. Jimmy passed away peacefully at his home in South Carolina after being cared for in his final days by his wife Joyce and son Cameron. Jimmy was born and brought up in Broughty Ferry near Dundee and was sent off to the Army when…

As was reported in Piping Press yesterday, the National Piping Centre’s CLASP competitions for amateur pipers is attracting entries from all over the world, writes Joe Moore. There is a real fellowship between participants and a sense of belonging. This was demonstrated when, to mark the recent Burns Night celebrations, we held an online get together. ‘CLASPies and Friends’, is our Facebook group for pipers and their ‘groupies’ and our…

Here are the results from The CLASP January Online Video Submission Competition 2021. We had a large entry across all three grades and from pipers worldwide. This competition marks one year of remote events for The CLASP and we are already preparing for the next scheduled event, which will also run as an online competition throughout March 2021. The entries are now open via the CLASP website and full details for this event…