RSPBA History: ‘Farcical’ and ‘Tragic’ Judging in the Post War Pipe Band World

We conclude our look back at the history of the RSPBA as described in an edition of the Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing Journal of 1949. The author, Mr RC Whitelaw, Secretary of the then Scottish Pipe Band Association, turns his forensic eye on the establishment of a pipe band college and problems with judging as he saw it. Pictured are Bowhill Colliery Pipe Band, Fife, winners of the first…

CLASP Amateur Solos: Virtual Highland Games Results

There was a big virtual turnout from all across the globe for this event. It was the first time that CLASP ran Grade Four events also. Prizes were sponsored by R G Hardie & Co Bagpipes and the judges were: Alex Gandy, Dan Nevans, Connor Sinclair, John Mulhearn, Gail Brown, Alastair Dunn, Donald MacPhee and Calum Brown. Pictured above is Grade 2 Overall Winner, John Nevans from Airdrie, Lanarkshire. The World Solo Amateur…

Ten Years After: The World Pipe Band Championship of 2011, Part 2

We take another look at the Worlds held at Glasgow Green in August 2011 with photographs and excerpts from reports from our Editor Robert Wallace. Here he concentrates on the Grade 1 March Strathspey and Reel. Gradually you came to the realisation that there was not one person present who did not believe they were listening to the 2011 World Pipe Band Champions. For Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, from…

Review – The Shasta Collection of Modern Piobaireachd

On being asked to review this recent publication I realised that I have stated many times in recent years that I am a supporter of modern piobaireachd composition. With further reflection the realisation dawned that many of the tunes in my repertoire I considered modern were approaching fifty years of age. I was facing an opportunity to take a look at much more recent compositions. The book reproduces the scores…

Arisaig Games Results

A very pleasant day on the beautiful west coast. Champion Piper James MacKenzie (r) is pictured with Ceol Beag Champion, Finlay Cameron. Piob 1 James MacKenzie 2 Jonathan Simpson 3 Andrew Hall 4 Finlay Cameron 5 Connor Kellett Judge: A Maclean March 1 Jonathan Simpson 2 Finlay Cameron 3 James MacKenzie 4 Calum MacColl S&R 1 Finlay Cameron 2 James MacKenzie 3 Jonathan Simpson 4 Connor Kellett [wds id=”4″] Jig 1 Andrew Hall…