The Dynamics of Pipe Band Competition – Remember, Most Do Not Win Prizes!

Bands throughout the Northern Hemisphere will soon begin their winter practices for the 2022 season. In eight short months we will have, fingers crossed, the resumption of competition after a three year hiatus. We hope this article will help bands focus productively on what lies ahead…. This article examines the band competition environment. First of all, let’s try and understand the ethos of pipe band competition and why we do…

Fred Morrison Reel Pipes for Sale/ New Piobaireachd Society in North America

This is a beautifully made, hallmarked silver set of mouth blown Fred Morrison reel pipes by McCallum Bagpipes. African blackwood, they are in the key of A with bass, baritone and tenor drones. They come complete with a Canmore bag and ‘drone start’ lever. They were bought new for £1700 and have hardly been played. They are as new. The cost new was £1700. On offer for £1200. More information…

Harpenden Highland Games Results (pictures added)

Harpenden Highland Gathering, Sunday 12th September, 2021. The Lions showed their teeth against all things covid and gave a platform to pipers and drummers in the south of England for band and solo performances, writes Roger Huth. Pictured above is competitor Graham Waller playing for judge Roddy Livingstone. Billy Wardrope from the Scottish Piping Society of London showed his immense worth to that organisation by expertly and easily convening the…

Canada’s First Highland Games for Two Years Voted a Huge Success – Full Results and Video

The 57th Cobourg Highland Games (Ontario, Canada) – Saturday, September 11, 2021. The games were enjoyed by a large crowd in perfect weather conditions on the shores of Lake Ontario: lots of sun and a balmy temperature of 26 degrees, writes Michael Grey PPBSO President. The games featured solo piping, solo drumming and pipe band competitions, heavy events, clan stalls, vendors, Highland dancing exhibitions – and a beer tent. Ontario…

Donald Morrison Archive: Seton Gordon on John MacDonald, Inverness, and Black Mark for the Piobaireachd Society

The featured letter, a copy of which Donald held in his papers, is from Seton Gordon and is dated January 5, 1973. It was to Col. John McEwing, a piping enthusiast in the US and the man responsivble for so much good work in the Pacific North West. He was the original director of the Coeur d’Alene Piping School in Idaho where taught such luminaries as James Campbell, Kilberry, RG…