P/M Donald MacLeod and His Technique and Finger Position on the Pipe Chanter

The position of Donald MacLeod’s fingers on the pipe chanter, well illustrated in the photograph above, is a subject not new to us. Having seen him in action and viewed other available photographs of the Pipe Major I think he could actually be identified by his fingers only! In the 1960s, which is not terribly long ago, I had the good fortune of being a member of the 11th Battalion…

Review: ‘Names & Places’ Concert, Celtic Connections

Awa’ tae yer neeps. So said Ian Duncan after thanking everyone involved in this electrifying concert, thus evoking his Aberdeenshire roots and his family’s quiet brilliance as entertainers across the generations, writes Jack Taylor. The occasion was a Celtic Connections celebration of P/M Ian’s, and Vale of Atholl Pipe Band’s, groundbreaking album of 1990, ‘Names and Places’. The youngsters started proceedings. The National Youth Band of Scotland played selections reflecting…

Readers React to British Pipe Band Championships Blow

As the RSPBA settles the distribution of British Championship graded contests to minor events, Piping Press readers have had their say on yesterday’s announcement that there would be no single-venue championship this summer. One reader, who signed himself ‘David’, responded to the Editor’s suggestion that Cowal should be involved in said re-distribution. He wrote: ‘Those of us who were around when the announcement was made that Cowal would no longer…

Single Venue British Championships Ruled Out by RSPBA

It’s now official. There will be no single day British Pipe Band Championship this season. As was reported on PP a couple of weeks ago, the Association worked tirelessly to secure a promoter for the May 20th event, writes the Editor. We also reported on a possible fall back position whereby well-established local contests would be offered a particular grade under the ‘British Championship’ banner. A statement from the RSPBA…

RSPBA Announce Judges for 2023 Season

The following adjudicators have been assigned to the five major championships for the forthcoming pipe band season. Although no venue has yet been confirmed for the British Champiopnships, it is a good sign that the Association feel confident enough to proceed with the judging arrangements for this important championship.