History: The ‘Redundant A’ Debate of 100 Years Ago

What is the ‘redundant A’ ? Whole generations have come and gone since the controversy was aired on the pages of the Oban Times a century ago. The correspondence reached its apogee in 1926 with none other than the great GS McLennan weighing in. We run a series of letters to the newspaper, including his, beginning today. By The Editor Firstly we need to establish what the cause of all…

Kingdom Thistle Results/ Wheel of Fortune/ CLASP Chanters

The Dundee, Perth and Angus Branch of the RSPBA ran their ‘Kingdom Thistle European Solo Piping Contest’ last Saturday in Fife. The competition attracted a large entry. The senior piping was split into two categories, piobaireachd and a combined MSR and Hornpipe & Jig. The RSPBA placing system was used to determine the outcome of the latter. Piobaireachd: 1 Dan Nevans, Shotts 2 John Dew, Inveraray 3 Ian Simpson, (formerly…

Editor’s Notebook: PS Conference/ Watson’s Bursary/ SPA Entries/ Virginia Tattoo/ Band Entries

one of the supplementary benefits of the Piobaireachd Society conference is the time afforded for informal chats. They were happening all over the place at the Golden Lion in Stirling last weekend. One was a follow on to Michael Grey’s talk on Bill Livingstone and the great tape recording scandal. There are phones recording everything now we pondered – in the piper’s sporran as he plays, and all over the…

Scottish Pipers Judges/ Lochaber Juniors Results

Scottish Pipers Association President Logan Tannock has announced the judging benches for the forthcoming professional contest to be held in the Piping Centre, McPhater Street, Glasgow, on April 11. They are as follows:Open Piobaireachd – Ronald MacShannon and Dr Bill WotherspoonB Grade Piobaireachd – Peter Hunt and Robert WallaceC Grade Piobaireachd – Alan Forbes and Derek FraserFormer Winners’ MSR – Peter Hunt, Ronald MacShannon and John WilsonOpen March – Roderick…

PS Set Tunes for 2027 Announced/ CLASP Results

The Music Committee of the Piobaireachd Society has announced the recommended set tunes for 2027. Competitors for the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting will be required to submit eight tunes of their own choice. Competitors for the Silver Medal at both competitions will be required to submit six tunes of their own choice. Senior competitions as per 2026. More information here. CLASP…