Atholl Gathering 2024 First Results

The Atholl Gathering was held today (May 26) in the grounds of Blair Castle, Perthshire. Seventy-eight solo pipers, junior and senior, competed meaning an early 9.30am start and a late finish. There were graded senior contests for piobaireachd. Light music events for March, Strathspey and Reel and Hornpipe & Jig were open. The ceòl beag was split into four heats with four pipers in each progressing to the final. Three…

Editor’s Notebook: Worlds Tickets/ ‘Wee’ Donald MacLean/ Atholl Gathering

A few comments on yesterday’s story about ticket prices for the Worlds. This from Donald McRae: ‘The price of tickets for children (under 16) is depressing, the price for a Saturday ticket being £17 or only £5.50 less than that for an adult. ‘I would expect such a ticket to be lower, possibly around 50% of the adult price. Should Glasgow Life not be encouraging youngsters to engage with the…

Worlds Tickets on Sale – Discounts for Buying in Advance

Glasgow Life, Promoters of the World Pipe Band Championships, have announced the ticket prices for this year’s two-day event at Glasgow Green on August 16 and 17. In the past the competition has attracted up to 40,000 people making it one of the biggest outdoor entertainment events in Scotland. Up to 200 bands are expected to compete as Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate defend their 2023 title. The prices below…

Northern Ireland News: Ravara Concert Review/ Richard Parkes Masterclass/ County Down Results

The Lagan Valley Island Centre in Lisburn City was packed to capacity on Saturday, April 27th, the audience eager to hear Ravara Pipe Band ‘Live in Concert’. Those who attended were not disappointed. David Scott fulfilled the role of compere in his usual inimitable style. P/M Samuel Connolly’s band consisted of up to 22 pipers who were supported by D/S Matthew Shaw’s corps of 12 sides, six tenors and a…

Royal Regiment of Scotland Compiling New Book of Pipe Music and Commissioning Piobaireachd

The Royal Regiment of Scotland (RRS) is set to commemorate its 20th Anniversary on the 26th March 2026 with a new collection of light music and specially commissioned piobaireachd. The amalgamation of six regular Scottish battalions of the Army and two reserve battalions to form the RRS followed Ministry of Defence changes first mooted in 2003. By Pipe Sergeant Joe Davies, 2 SCOTS Over the past 18 years, regiment has undergone…