Captain John MacLellan Memorial Results

The 11th annual Captain John A MacLellan MBE Memorial Piping Championship was held at the Army School at Inchdrewer House, Edinburgh, today. B & C grades were oversubscribed, good A grade entries but P grade entries were limited. Under the guidance of Major Ross McCrindle, Director of Army Bagpipe Music, the Army School delivered a very efficiently run event with top prize money and a high standard of playing. Stay…

Editor’s Notebook: Search for Silver MacDougalls/ Ian Plunkett/ Captain John Contest/ Letters

Dr Katherine Macaulay: ‘I recently read an article by you on ‘History of the Scottish Piping Society of London; The Post War Years’ written in 2016. In the article you mentioned Lewis Beaton Memorial Pipes … but, sadly, the actual pipes have disappeared somewhere along the timeline. Apparently they were actually Lewis Beaton’s silver mounted MacDougalls. Where are they now? ‘My father is Iain Macaulay, nephew to, and taught the pipes by,…

Kuala Lumpur Highland Games

This year’s Kuala Lumpur Highland Games were a resounding success, bringing a touch of Scotland to the heart of Malaysia, writes our Asia correspondent. Held at the prestigious Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort, the event was run by a dedicated team of expatriates who infused the day with both energy and authentic Highland spirit. The KL Games provided an extraordinary day filled with tradition, competition, and community spirit. It…

George Watson’s Announce Details of Junior Competition/ St Columba’s School Bass Section Tutor

We are pleased to announce that entries for ‘The Caritas Banner’ are now open, writes Ben Duncan, Assistant Pipe Major, George Watson’s College. The competition, aimed at promoting the study and performance of piobaireachd in young pipers will run for its second year on Sunday 24th November 2024 at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh. There are categories to suit most young players, which are as follows: 14 & Under Urlar and…

Northern Ireland Piper of the Year Results and Comment

When, in the early 80s, I first ventured to a then much-Troubled Northern Ireland there was a decided paucity of piobaireachd in the Province. Few played it; pipe bands scorned it. A small ember of hope remained thanks to the oxygen of interest from the likes of Norman Dodds and Ken Stewart. What a lonely furrow they ploughed. Undaunted, their efforts, and that of teachers such as Andrew Wright and,…