RSPBA Vice Chairman's Bid to Trace Uncle's Pipes from World War 2

RSPBA Vice Chairman John Hughes has contacted the Editor: ‘Just doing a bit of research into a shield that was presented to my uncle William Chisholm in 1943 from the Piobaireachd Society and with your extensive knowledge of the solo piping scene I thought I would seek your assistance. ‘I’ve attached an image of the shield and wondered if you had any insight into why it would have been presented….

Johnstone PB to Headline Major Concert at Celtic Connections/ Northern Ireland Charity Function

Press release from Johnstone PB: Johnstone Pipe Band (pictured above) are delighted to have been invited to perform on the main stage at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on Saturday the 20th January as part of the city’s 2018 Celtic Connections festival.  Pipe Major Keith J Bowes said: ‘We are really excited that the opportunity has come our way to showcase the band on the platform of the Royal Concert Hall. It…

Row Over Comments Made by Colin MacLellan Reach National Press

The judging storm over comments made by Solo Piping Judges Association Chairman Mr Colin MacLellan about the teaching ability of one of his members, Mr Barry Donaldson, has been picked up by the national press in Scotland. The debacle was first highlighted in Piping Press and has been on going since last autumn. The Scottish Daily Mail headline their story ‘Battle of the Bagpipes – blow for reputation of pastime…

Piping at Waipu Highland Games, New Zealand, New Year's Day 2018

Waipu Highland Games on New Zealand’s North Island are 147 years old making them one the longest established on any continent, writes the Editor. The piping is very well run with good prize money. I judged the senior events with Stuart Finlayson. It was a pleasure to work with Stuart as it as was to meet up with Reid Maxwell of SFU who was over from Vancouver to do the…

Hogmanay at Waipu on New Zealand's North Island

For the first time in six decades I have spent New Year in the Southern Hemisphere. Strange feeling to wake up on December 31 to sunshine and temperatures around 25 degs. C, first footing ‘neath the Southern Cross.  Still, it was something I just had to put up with – all in the name of my daughter’s wedding and judging at the Waipu Highland Games on New Zealand’s North Island….