The piping and pipe band worlds are holding up well despite a summer decimated by the virus emergency, writes the Editor. Piping Press will continue to do its bit to keep everyone’s enthusiasm bubbling along until the sunny uplands of 2021 appear on the horizon. Today we are offering free of charge the second set of three quality portraits of significant piping figures of the past. Readers can download these…

As the COVID-19 lockdown unfortunately has resulted in the complete loss of the 2020 pipe band outdoor competition season, I am sure the usual ‘reviewers’ of pipe band results must be quite frustrated that they are this year having to look for other pastimes to vent their frustrations and sometimes unfair accusations.  While the competition scene is dormant, apart from virtual versions, this may be an opportune time to take…

I must say the standard of paintings we have received for our Lockdown Challenge has been terrific. Witness the above detail from artist Scott Kish. It is of piper Robert Dowson and is in watercolour. The size is 11″ x 15″. We’ll keep the challenge going till the end of July at which point it will be over to judge Robert Mathieson who has kindly agreed to select the winners….

Reader John Maclay is offering an array of bagpipes, chanters and pipe making tools for sale. The sale includes a set of ivory pipes by Henry Starck, five ‘Brian Boru’ chanters made by Starck, a full ivory Irish warpipe by Starck (bass, baritone and tenor drones), a set of miniature pipes (metal ferrules, ivory chanter sole), plus an array of wood, ivory and pipe making tools. The whole lot is…

I wondered if the Piping Press would be interested in sharing a bit of news regard a unique event we have planned for this evening, writes P/M Gordon Bruce. We hold an annual Beating the Retreat at the school during the last week of term, however, due to the current restrictions, this would have been cancelled.  Feeling sorry for our pupils I have arranged for this to be moved online.  Below…