The worldwide pipe band movement is facing the biggest challenge in its history the Chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Mr John B. Hughes, said today. In a wide-ranging interview with Piping Press, Mr Hughes revealed that as a result of the pandemic: The World Solo Drumming scheduled for this October may have to be postponed Bands might have to get used to a more hygienic formation than…

Helen Urquhart of the National Piping Centre marketing department has sent this: The Board of the National Piping Centre is delighted to announce that Finlay Johnston will step into the new role of Head Piping Teacher at The National Piping Centre from 1st July 2020. Finlay has worked with the Centre since 2015 but has been part of the Centre’s development, attending schools and teaching here throughout his piping career….

We celebrated the 75th Anniversary of VE Day a couple of weeks ago and I thought Piping Press readers might be interested in these old photographs my mum has looked out from VE day 25 years ago. The pipers in the picture above are as follows: Front Rank (L-R): P/M John D. Burgess, Alan Clark, Fiona Maclean (née Mackay), Stewart Mackay, Niall StewartSecond Rank (L-R): Alistair Stewart, David Macdonald, Paul…

Aboyne Highland Games in Aberdeenshire have become the first outdoor gathering to introduce an internet-based competition during the Covid-19 pandemic. The contest covers their Open Piobaireachd and Open March and Strathspey and Reel competitions. They will ask pipers to make an audio recording on Games Day, August 1st. This will be sent to the Piping Convenor Jack Taylor who will send it on to the judges. Usual prize money will…

I’m rather concerned for the future of the pipe band movement. I read yesterday about the threat to choirs and other musical groupings. They won’t be able to play or sing indoors ‘in the foreseeable future’ said this particular gloomster. And this was in England, not in we-can-out-Lockdown-the-world Scotland. Add to that this week’s outburst from the Visit Scotland agency. They are calling into question outdoor festivals and events happening…