The deadline for the Argyllshire Gathering’s 2/4 March competition is midnight tonight – May 31. No entries can be accepted after that time. The tune is to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Gathering which began in 1871. More than 40 entries have been received so far with less than a day remaining. Judging will begin tomorrow (June 1) with an announcement of the winner made as soon as possible…

We conclude the article on the oprigins of pipe band associations and competition on the island of Ireland. Pictured below are the Robert Armstrong Memorial Pipe Band in 1966. The band won the All-Ireland Championship nine times – 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977. Almost certainly the contact that the Fintan Lalor and the other Dublin based bands such as St Laurence O’Toole had with the…

We had a very well attended piobaireachd tutorial the other night as part of the Piobaireachd Society’s ‘Talk Piobaireachd’ series, writes the Editor. The tune I went through was the peerless Lament for Mary MacLeod and amongst other things I spoke of how it was so very difficult to play properly. Indeed I don’t think I have heard it truly mastered with any consistency. Anyway, we then got on, inevitably,…

US-based piper, teacher and piobaireachd authority Jimmy McIntosh MBE is now at the proofing stage of his new book reminiscing on his long life in piping. The montage above shows him having his daily tune at his home in South Carolina, with the Glenfiddich trophy in 1974 and in a promo shot for a new album. Jimmy (94) is still very fit and alert for his age and and has…

It is with regret we report the passing of Dr Hugh Hepburn, Aberdeen. Dr Hepburn, who was 80, was a member of the Portlethen and District Pipe Band and a supporter of piping throughout his life. He pioneered the idea of a ‘seniors’ competition for retired professional pipers and this ran for many years at the Lochaber Gathering in Fort William, with generous sponsorship coming from Hugh’s own pocket. He…