Editor’s Notebook: PS Collection/ Drum Solos/ Kintyre Collection/ Ben Recital/ Letters

A five-year long revision of the Piobaireachd Society’s collection of Books 1-16 has been completed. It took many hours of work by myself and Society Music Editor Jack Taylor but the results are very satisfying. Many of the anomalies and errors accumulated in the 100 years since the collection was begun by Sheriff Grant of Rothiemurchus and Archibald Campbell, Kilberry. No one plays a crunluath a mach in Lament for…

P/M Ian McLellan 1937-2025

Ian McLellan, probably the greatest pipe major in the history of pipe bands, has passed away peacefully at his home in Bearsden near Glasgow. He was 88 and had been in indifferent health for several months. Ian led the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band to twelve Grade 1 World Championships, six of them in consecutive years. He secured his first title in 1976 and his last in 1991. He was also…

New Drumming Solos Announced

A new invitational solo drumming competition is to be held in Glasgow in January. The prizemoney pool is £1,700 with £200 going to the piper accompanying the winner. The new contest represents a unique step in the development of solo pipe band drumming competition. Often there is no prize money, drummers playing for prestige and a trophy, and pipers playing to support their band colleagues. Sponsors are all believed to…

Mull Games and the Ceannloch Pipe Band

What a surprise to see and read about Mull Highland Games last week in Piping Press. By 1965, I was living in Glasgow but had purposely not signed up with any pipe band.  The Games being in July meant I was on holiday in Campbeltown (it was the annual Glasgow Fair) and for several years I remained with the Ceannloch-Campbeltown Pipe Band to maintain competing numbers.   By Iain Duncan…

Caritas Banner Grows in Stature

The Caritas Banner competition for under 18 piobaireachd playing was held yesterday, November 30, in the premises of its founders, George Watson’s College, Edinburgh. There were more than 60 young entrants from all over Scotland, and one even travelled from North Wales to take part. By Robert Wallace There were three events, Under 18 (two tunes required), 14&Under (own choice) and 14&Under Ground and Variation. Results were as follows: Under…