Daniel Laidlaw VC/ Inverness Junior Piping/ Blackthorn Pipers/ Whisky Galore

As part of its WW1 commemoration series, the BBC has published a good wrap up on Piper Daniel Laidlaw VC, KOSB. There’s an interview with his grandson Kevin Laidlaw. Kevin, also a piper, went to Loos in 2005 for the 90th anniversary of the battle. He says: ‘I stood out and played The standard on the Braes o’ Mar which was the regimental charge of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, which…

PP Editor’s Blog: Whisky Galore, Compton MacKenzie, Calum Johnston, Neil Angus MacDonald

Thanks to everyone who responded to our Whisky Galore article at the end of last week. Not possible to respond personally to everyone’s emails so a collective ‘thank you’ to you all. I asked for the name of the piper pictured and then posed a quiz question: ‘Who wrote the book and who was his piper?’ A few were caught out by that, assuming that the piper in the film…

PP Editor’s Blog: All Ireland Solos/ Whisky Galore/ 24 Renfrew Street

To Dublin tonight for tomorrow’s All-Ireland Solos.The Championships are under the joint auspices of the Irish Pipe Band Association  and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (Northern Ireland Branch)  and will be held in Trinity Comprehensive  School, Ballymun, Dublin. For those going along, Piping is at 10am and Drumming at 11. Here are the current champions:  Senior Piping: Ashley McMichael, Field Marshal Montgomery Senior Drumming: Michael McKenna, St. Laurence O’Toole Piobaireachd A: Graham Drummond,…

PP Editor’s Blog: Pibroch by the Sea/ Bob Shepherd/ Shotts and the Worlds/ New Highland Games

This weekend sees the annual ‘Piobaireachd by the Sea’ event at Cancale, Brittany, the brainchild of famous Breton piper and teacher Jakez Pincet. Pipers come along, have a tune or two on the beach and enjoy some refreshment courtesy the town hall. The two-day mini festival features a workshop at which participants will have a chance to brush up their tunes. It is being given by Piobaireachd Society President, Dr Jack…

PP Editor’s Blog: P/M Paul Selwood/ SPA WW1 Concert/ Bagpipemakers Book/ Tryst Contest

It was distressing yet uplifting to read yesterday of P/M Paul Selwood, 1st Batt. Scots Guards, and his brave fight against cancer. His is an agonising burden borne with dignity, a dignity that will follow him to the end. Anyone who ever met Paul will know of his easy manner, ready smile and a willingness to help others. They will know too of his justified pride in his regiment and…