Results: Corgarff/ Strathmore Games/ Victorian Pipers

A round-up of last weekend’s games and competitions, the Scottish ones played in overcast, blustery conditions. The Strathmore results are incomplete and we would appreciate it if someone could take the time to forward these, particularly any junior prizes. CorgarffPiob: 1 Angus MacPhee 2 Hector Munro 3 Mike LaingMarch: 1 Angus MacPhee 2 Hector Munro 3 Mike LaingS&R: 1 Hector Munro 2 Angus MacPhee 3 Mike LaingU18 Slow March &…

A Spectator’s Look Back at the UK Pipe Band Championships in Belfast

I was at the UK pipe band championships in Belfast on 13th June, 2026, where the music was enjoyed by a large crowd. Other arrangements were not so good. The competition was held at the Grove Playing Fields, a very large park with no public vehicle access and very limited access to buses and cars from the surrounding roads. The roads were restricted to basically one-way traffic with ‘only stop…

Editor’s Notebook: Hypocrisy & Contradiction/ Northern Meeting Brooch/ NZ Piob./ John MacDougall 214 BB

There have been ongoing comments since my ‘What Price Forgiveness for P/M Gordon Walker‘ essay in October 2023. It has clearly struck a chord with readers. Most have been in agreement with the sentiments contained therein. There have been ‘contributions’ by ill-informed contrarians intent on indulging their prejudices, but nothing worthy of publication. Their arguments all fell at the first level of ratiocination. The Rev. Leslie Barrett, the noted amateur…

Proposal to End Difficulties Over Judges and Pupils

The problem of pupils being judged by teachers in piping competitions has caused much debate and division. For the past few years I have spent quite a bit of time using experiences from judging along with playing, and have formulated a plan which I believe solves these problems. By Colin MacLellan In reality, it is very simple, but perhaps appears less so when committed to paper, because every circumstance must…

Major Winner P/M Emmet Conway, Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia, Talks to Piping Press

Two weeks ago P/M Emmet Conway and his Shotts & Dykehead band were proclaimed British Champions at Ingliston Showgrounds near Edinburgh. It was Emmet’s first ‘major’ success since he took over the band in 2018. Afterwards he gave this interview to Piping Press….. How does it feel to lift your first major? It feels absolutely incredible.  There’s also a real sense of relief in getting that first major title under…