We continue with our look at the great pipers whose music marked the tragic era of the First World War…. Next we will consider P/M George Stewart McLennan of the Gordon Highlanders, GS as he was, and still is, known. He is pictured above in full ceremonial dress. GS was a child prodigy – at 10 years old he was commanded to play for Queen Victoria at Balmoral Castle.  He…

Good news this week on the Covid-19 vaccine. The British Government had wisely ordered millions of doses in advance and Scotland will, rightly, gets its proportionate share. Other scientists working on other vaccines will report soon on their efficacy, hopefully positive. Whether it will all be in time to save the 2021 pipe band season remains to be seen. It will take months to roll the jabs out to the…

This week saw the 100th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, and what better time to remind ourselves of the harrowing sacrifice of the men who fought, and the pipers and the music that accompanied them into battle – pipers who played at many a graveside and on many a route march too. To remind you….on one side in this conflict there…

In this article we follow the story of a man who learned to play the pipes from the Rankins on the island of Mull. Originally from Ireland, he ended up living on the isle of Skye. The story starts when the laird of Muckairn (Taynuilt, the village a few miles east of Oban) employs two men from Ireland, one a blacksmith called Robert and the other a harpist called David….

The High School of Dundee is looking for a new, part-time, piping instructor to work two days a week under P/M David Wilton. The job spec states: ‘The successful applicant should have an extensive knowledge of, and be an expert practitioner in, the bagpipes. ‘In addition, he or she should be able to tune a pipe band and perhaps step in as pipe major of any school band if required….