Tag: Bagpipe Stories

Scottish Schools Championship/ Stirling Junior Solos

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Young musicians from a record-breaking 172 schools across Scotland gathered in Kilmarnock last Sunday for the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, marking the largest number of schools ever involved in the event’s 12-year-history, writes Lesley Wilkinson. Held at the William McIlvanney Campus, the Championships welcomed 51 bands and ten quartets from every corner of the country, with 90% of participating schools coming from the state sector. Organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes…

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Review of the 2026 Uist & Barra Professional

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Pity those who weren’t at Otago Street last Saturday for the 79th Annual Uist & Barra Professional. We heard two piobaireachd that would have won any competition anywhere – and I’m talking senior events at Oban/ Inverness – and some flowing ceòl beag that wasn’t to be sniffed at either. By Robert Wallace The two tunes I mention were from Callum Beaumont and Finlay Johnston. There wasn’t a gossamer strand…

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Editor’s Notebook: Uist & Barra/ Judges Training/ Glasgow Skye/ Lochaber Juniors/ Watson’s Results

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To Otago Street tomorrow for the Uist & Barra. A stellar line up of top pipers should guarantee some excellent music. Those playing are Callum Beaumont, Calum Brown, Sandy Cameron, Ben Duncan, Jamie Forrester, Finlay Johnson, Steven Leask, Angus MacColl, Sarah Muir, Connor Sinclair, and Brodie Watson-Massey. New Piping Convenor, Innes Scullion, tells me that the invites have all been based on a transparent list of qualifying events – just…

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Dysart & Dundonald Worlds Success and Readers’ Response to Historic Photos

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Since the beginning of the World Championships under the (R)SPBA in 1947, there is no doubt that Dysart and Dundonald’s rapid progress and Worlds achievement was a first.  ‘The Dysart’ were upgraded to Grade 1 at the close of season 1972 and their impact was immediate.  At Ayr in 1973 they placed 5th, at Stirling in 1974 they placed 2nd, at Corby in 1975 they placed 3rd, at Hawick in…

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Dysart & Dundonald Pipe Band in the 1970s

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Thanks to reader Peter Reilly for forwarding the above picture. It is of the famous Dysart & Dondonald pictured during rehearsals for the Worlds at either Corby in 1975 or Nottingham in 1979, writes the Editor. We are trying to confirm the date and identify all of those pictured. There is also a suggestion that Dysart won the Worlds drum corps title at Corby. All information gratefully received. Please reply…

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