Tag: Bagpipe Stories

Remembering the Paisley Band, their Drum Corps and the Great Days in the 1970s

Posted on      by      2 Comments

There have been several features in Piping Press featuring a photo of Seagrams’ Pipe Band under the late Pipe Major Donnie Thompson, particularly when it had its annus mirabilis in Grade 2 in 1992 as World Champions and Champion of Champions, writes Iain White.  I first knew this band in the early 1970s when it was the Paisley Pipe Band, having previously been Paisley British Legion. The Paisley band was…

More Remembering the Paisley Band, their Drum Corps and the Great Days in the 1970s

New Regulations and Rules will Hit Those Travelling with and Dealing in Ivory Pipes

Posted on      by      1 Comment

Stricter measures in the trade in elephant ivory come into force in Canada today, January 8, 2024. The new rules could have implications for all pipers with ivory pipes. Henceforth the Canadian government will only permit the import and export of raw elephant ivory destined for a museum, zoo, use in scientific research or in law enforcement activities, writes the Editor.  Furthermore, and this is the relevant part for pipers…

More New Regulations and Rules will Hit Those Travelling with and Dealing in Ivory Pipes

New Announcements from the Piobaireachd Society

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Texan Piper Mike Cusack has accepted an invitation to join the Piobaireachd Society’s prestigious Music Committee. Mike, pictured above, is a double Gold Medallist and winner of all the major piobaireachd prizes some many times over. He recently retired as Head Master of St Thomas’s Episcopal School in Houston and still plays with the school alumni pipe band. He is the second North American to join the committee. Jack Lee,…

More New Announcements from the Piobaireachd Society

Con Ó Conaill – A Tireless Servant to Pipe Bands in Ireland and Worldwide

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

The AGM of the Irish Pipe Band Association witnessed a watershed moment when the association’s long-serving and much respected president Con Ó Conaill stepped down after 47 years in the service of the pipe band community.  Con was born and reared in Ballymurphy, Innishannon, Co Cork. As a youth, Con showed himself to be academically talented winning a scholarship to secondary school. By Brian McMahon After school he worked in…

More Con Ó Conaill – A Tireless Servant to Pipe Bands in Ireland and Worldwide

Editor’s Notebook: Army School and The Queen/ SLOT Headgear/ Terry’s Address/ Drum Request/ Wellington’s Piper

Posted on      by      1 Comment

It should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II stepped in to stave off any threat to the Army School of Piping in Edinburgh. Her initiative came to light this week in a podcast interview with former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. He revealed that during an audience, Her Majesty challenged him on rumours of financial cuts at the school. Osborne feigned…

More Editor’s Notebook: Army School and The Queen/ SLOT Headgear/ Terry’s Address/ Drum Request/ Wellington’s Piper