Argyllshire Gathering Issue Statement on Recent Judges Debacle

One of the world’s top competitions for solo piping, the Argyllshire Gathering, has issued the following statement with regard to the recent controversy surrounding the perceived conflicts of interests among solo piping adjudicators. Torquil Telfer, Piping Steward at the AG: ‘The Argyllshire Gathering will co-operate with the new ruling adopted by the Solo Piping Judges Association concerning the perceived conflict with tutors judging pupils at our competitions. ‘Each year, in early…

Oban Gold Medallist Richard Hawke Steps Down at Canterbury

Oban and Braemar Gold Medallist Richard Hawke is to step down  from his position as Pipe Major of New Zealand’s successful Canterbury Caledonia Pipe Band. Despite this change the band is still scheduled to play at the Worlds next August. In a statement, Band Chairman Richard Smith said: ‘Current New Zealand Grade 1 Champion Pipe Band, Canterbury Caledonian Society, has announced some key leadership role changes to take effect after the…

Superb Set of Henderson Pipes is Offered for Sale

It is not often a classic bagpipe such as that offered for sale on Piping Press today becomes available. The instrument is a 1908 Peter Henderson bagpipe in silver and ivory. It has a considerable pedigree. Owner Neil Clark bought the bagpipe from Pipe Major Ian Duncan of the Atholl Highlanders a couple of years ago but since retiring from competing now feels that such a quality instrument should be…

The Positive Influence Piobaireachd Has on a Band’s Pipe Corps

The following article by Northern Ireland-based RSPBA Adjudicator Winston Pollock, was written almost 15 years ago. It is still as relevant today as it was then. In it Winston talks of how ceol mor was introduced into the Northern Ireland Piping & Drumming School, the early tutors being John Wilson and Andrew Wright. The writer’s comments were  prescient with many pipers going on to achieve significant success in this music. …

Dr John MacAskill and his Famous Reel, Lexie MacAskill

A larger than life character, John MacAskill was born in 1944 and died in 2003. When he won the Gold Medal at Inverness, Seumas MacNeill wrote: ‘When the winner was announced men of discernment looked for ways to escape, men of experience prepared to batten down the hatches and men of neither are still wondering what happened.’ John’s family was from Berneray in the Western Isles and, though his father and…