Worlds Day 1: Juvenile and Novice Results (updated with comment and pictures)

The first day of the World Pipe Championships saw the first two heats of the Grade 1 competition, two heats of Grade 2 and the Novice and Juvenile Championships. Glasgow Green was warm and almost perfect for pipe bands – no harsh sun, dry, with only a little breeze. After a hard fought contest George Watson’ College were crowned Juvenile Champions, North Lanarkshire Schools Novice A Champions, and St Thomas…

Review: 78th Frasers World’s Week Concert

TRUE NORTH STRONG was the title of the 2026 World’s Week concert given in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall by the world-famous Canadian pipe band, the 78th Fraser Highlanders. Under the leadership of P/M Michael Grey and L/D Kyle Wardell the band delivered a feast of musical entertainment presented with a sense of pure theatre – themed, atmospheric and including a backing group, Highland dancers, two superb singers, as well as…

Northern Ireland: Bands on BBC/ Ulsters/ Belfast Tattoo/ Antrim/ Big Rab

Recently there was the return of the popular series ‘The Band’ on BBC Northern Ireland television which has three episodes and should now be available on iPlayer. The series marks USA 250 by exploring the stories of people who emigrated from Northern Ireland to America and Canada and found friendship and belonging through their passion for bands.  The series follows Danielle Hamilton Cooper from Cookstown, who emigrated to Philadelphia after…

Weekend Games: Strathpeffer, Inverkeithing, Tain

Four Highland Games were held over the weekend (it would have been six but for the cancellation of Dornoch and Nethybridge). We have already reported on Aberfeldy and below we have results from the remainder. Firstly Strathpeffer, north-west of Inverness….. John Don MacKenzie Niall Mathieson judging. Condition good in the morning but rain developed after lunch. Seven played in the Piobaireachd and eight in the light music. Piob.: 1 Gordon…

Pipe Band Commentary – Readers Have Their Say

Our readers have been exercising their keyboards covering Worlds qualifying, bands travelling to compete and various arrangements at the recent Scottish Championships…… Dave Gatcum: Perhaps it’s time to look at lower grades qualifying to compete at the Worlds. I’m not sure it’s a great thing to have lower grades playing at silly o’clock in the morning to see if they qualify – spending thousands of pounds to be told they’re…