A Look Back at Lurgan and FMM’s Auld Boys

The County Armagh town of Lurgan and its sprawling park was the setting for the second RSPBA Major of the season, the United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships. The weather was extremely changeable with a warm but blustery morning followed by heavy showers from the start of the Grade 1 competition before it settled back to being dry. It was hard to determine crowd numbers as the grades were well spread…

Piping Live! Big Band to Return to this Year’s Festival

The Piping Live! Big Band will return for its 5th showcase at this year’s festival as pipers of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the mass participation event, the Festival announced today. On Monday 8th August 150 pipers will gather, ranging from little learners playing their chanters to seasoned professionals playing the pipes in their retirement. The bespoke big band will walk the streets of Glasgow as they perform a repertoire of tunes that everyone can play.  The Piping Live!…

Poor Support is Undermining Minor Pipe Band Contests

Last Sunday at Ardrossan, five bands in G4 MSR and two in G3; this Saturday at Lochore three in G4A, four in G3, four in G2, two in G1; Aberdeen on June 19 a bit better: seven in 4B, three in 4A, five in G3, six in G2, three in G1……. Looking at Markinch summaries and once again I find myself bemoaning the lack of bands in attendance. It has…

Entries for New Helensburgh Competition/ Piping Forum to be Held Next Month

I have set up a new solo piping competition in Helensburgh. It is sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society and two local businesses, writes Colina Helen Campbell.  All details are in the entry form attached.  This is a new solo piping competition being held following the cancellation this year of the BPC-Bicentenary Pipe Band Championships, Helensburgh, and the Rosneath Solo Piping competition. The aim of the new competition is to provide a…

Atholl Gathering/ Lochaber Gathering/ Ukrainian National Anthem

Piping Convenor at the Atholl Gathering, Dr Jack Taylor: ‘There is a healthy entry so far for the Gathering (on May 29), but there is still room for a few more, especially P/A/Non CPA Piobaireachd and junior events. Entries close on Sunday 15th May. Here is the link to the entry form.   ‘It will be Gary West’s first outing as Pipe Major of the Atholl Highlanders. Ian Duncan is handing over the previous…