Iain Speirs Impresses at Piobaireachd Society 2015 Conference (video added)

The highlight of this year’s Piobaireachd Society Conference had to be the playing of Iain Speirs, writes PS Vice President Robert Wallace. Iain, the consummate professional, was asked to illustrate a paper given by John  Shone on the life and career of one of the greatest pipers of all time, Donald MacPherson. With a beautifully set pipe, Iain thrilled the large number of attendees with outstanding performances of ceol beag, the urlars…

Archie Kenneth Quaich Results

This important competition for amateur piobaireachd players is organised every year by the Piobaireachd Society and always draws a very large entry. The winner this year was journalist Tom Peterkin from Edinburgh playing the Lament for Captain MacDougall. In second place was former winner Andrew Frater playing Tulloch Ard, third went to Michael Graham playing You’re Welcome Ewan Lochiel. Fourth was John Frater with MacLeod’s Controversy, fifth last year’s winner…

PP Editor’s Blog: Uist & Barra, AKQ, Piping Centre Auction etc

All eyes on the Uist & Barra contest tomorrow, the first professional event of the year. Once more the organisers have attracted a top class field of pipers. Stay tuned to pipingpress.com for first results and comment on the day. U&B Piping Convenor John Angus Smith has sent this:  ‘The Glasgow Uist and Barra Association announces the running order and piobaireachds for Saturday’s Annual Piping Competition:   Pìobaireachd 1. Roderick…

John MacDonald, Inverness, Letter; Govan Piping Initiative

Today we publish an interesting letter from John Macdonald, Inverness, to Archibald Campbell, Kilberry. It discusses two tunes, ‘Lament for the Union’ and ‘Lament for Alasdair Dearg MacDonnell of Glengarry.’ Read more here. [wds id=”3″] The newsletter of the Govan Weavers Society reports major progress with the piping initiative in this well-known, but not well off, suburb of Glasgow. It reads: ‘In July it was intimated that the Piping Initiative…

PP Editor’s Blog: New Baby, Piob. Soc, Douglas Elmslie, National Library

Congratulations to top pipers Craig Sked and wife Fiona on the birth of their daughter Maggie Heather who was born at 20.06 on the 21st of January in Melbourne. As you can see mother and baby are doing well and dad doesn’t look too bad either! Check out the baby’s fingers – a piper or what? President Dr Jack Taylor has announced changes to the line up for this year’s…