PP Audio Archive Latest Additions: Shotts Drummers/ Wee Donald Maclean/ Jimmy Catherwood/ Toyota Pipes & Drums

There are significant new additions to the Piping Press Audio Archive today. We are grateful to Mr Iain Duncan, formerly librarian for the RSPBA, for passing them on. They are from his own personal collection. We start with a recording of the iconic Shotts & Dykehead drum corps from 1959 playing a salute by the legendary leading stroke Alex Duthart. The picture above shows L/D Duthart and his corps in 1957….

Solo Piping Competition in Edinburgh 50 Years ago

The PP history archives are raided today for a fascinating look at piping half a century ago. Back then Edinburgh rivalled Glasgow a the world centre for solo piping with thriving competitions run by the City of Edinburgh Police Pipe Band and the Eagle Pipers’ Society. These were senior events attended by all the leading players of the day with all the top judges manning the benches. The picture above…

PP Ed’s Blog: Ian’s Birthday/ Florida Sell Out/ New Piobaireachd/ Patrick Mor

Firstly congratulations to P/M Ian McLellan BEM on his 80th birthday. It hardly seems anytime at all that we used to see him marching off with his brilliant Strathclyde Police Pipe Band and yet another Worlds trophy. Ian remains the most successful Worlds winner of all time though the equally brilliant Richard Parkes and FMM are running him close. Whatever; no one can change history and the music Ian’s band…

History: Origins of the Modern Day Pipe Band – Conclusion

We conclude David Murray’s revealing history. Read earlier excerpts here. Of the picture above David writes, ‘Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers, Poona, India, 1909. The Pipes and Drums comprises Drum Major, Pipe Major and 19 pipers, one bass and 16 side drums [including tenors]. The battalion in India was kept up to full strength by drafts from the ‘home’ battalion. A typical pipe band…

PP Ed’s Blog: Inveraray-Kemper Concert/ Jimmy on Camel/ Poll Findings/ David Murray

The big event today is the joint Celtic Connections concert being given by Stuart Liddell’s Inveraray & District Pipe and Bagad Kemper from Brittany, France. Tickets have sold very well and there will be a large crowd at the event which kicks off at 12.30pm in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, but some places are still available. Here’s the link. Writing about Jimmy Anderson last week I forgot to mention his…