Scottish Schools Results/ Ayr Festival Results/ SPA Juvenile Draw

Isle of Arran Schools (above), Lochgilphead A, Hutchesons’ Grammar, Glasgow High School, Fettes College, Dollar Academy and Skye Youth Pipe Band hit the right note with the judges at this year’s annual Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship, writes Fergus Robb. An array of bands, quartets and freestyle groups showcased their skills on Sunday (March 12) at Kilmarnock’s William McIlvanney Campus. More than 120 schools went head-to-head across 81 performances, vying for success in…

The Day Willie Fergusson Met the Australian Ladies

Further to our reports of a week or so ago on the Australian Ladies, Clive Douglas has sent us the following tale. The Ladies are pictured above outside Burns’ Cottage during their 1926 visit. Clive writes: The well known Glasgow piper and teacher Eddie McLellan told the story that Willie Fergusson was a sign writer by trade. One day he was working on a shop front sign on Buchanan Street…

Duncan Johnstone Memorial Results 2023 – Updated with Picture and Comment

This competition for junior professionals was held today (Sat, March 11) at the National Piping Centre, Otago Street and McPhater Street, Glasgow. There were large entries in all categories, 33 in the C Piobaireachd and 30 in the C MSR. There were 23 in the B Piob and 21 in the B MSR. Pictured above are all the trophy winners with Champion Piper Callum Wynd far left. B Grade Piobaireachd,…

Advice on How Best to Travel Safely With Your Pipes

Well the good news is Barry got his pipes a couple of days after he arrived home, writes the Editor. The bad is that one projecting mount was chipped and there were other nicks here and there. I wondered if the imitation ivory had been deliberately cut to test for the real stuff. The leaflet that tells you they have been into your suitcase has a disclaimer regarding any damage…

CLASP ‘Live Online’ 2023 Results

This February 11 competition was the first CLASP ‘Live Online’ event for 2023 and there was a particular interest as an invite to compete at the inaugural amateur invitational at The Sun Belt in Florida in November 2023 was up for grabs for the overall winner of Grade 1.  Eric Stein, who runs the Sun Belt Professional, has expanded his event to include an amateur invitational and Eric is kindly…