The following interesting reports are from the Oban Times, circa 1961…. Congratulations ….. The unique recognition accorded to Pipe Major John MacLellan in his commissioning as the first ever officer piper in the Army has given immense pleasure to all lovers of piping as well as to a host of friends both here as well and overseas. The announcement that he had been granted Queen’s Commission in the rank of…

In the Old World we would all now be marching from Glasgow Green on to Cowal with soloists looking ahead to the late summer highlights of Oban, Inverness and the autumnal Glenfiddich with a bit of London thrown in. I’m sure that having read that your heart sank to know that ‘there is life Jim, but not as we knew it’, to mangle a phrase from Dr McCoy to his…

By Jimmy McIntosh MBE I don’t know if getting older makes one over critical, but I did not think that the playing here was outstanding, especially as it was advertised as showcasing Scotland’s best players.  There is no question that the pipers were all technically very good, but I felt there was not as high a standard of musical expression as I had expected or hoped, and though the contest…

Matthew Drennan, Secretary, Neilston War Memorial Association: ‘Can you please highlight the work our charity is doing to commemorate Pipe Major Iain MacDonald [above] in our village? We are a Scottish registered charity and Iain, who died last May, was a friend to all in our group. ‘He piped at Remembrance Days, World War grave commissions, and was always there with the pipes to welcome ex-pats back to the village….