Advertising Feature: McCallum Bagpipes

In just over 25 years McCallum Bagpipes, based near Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, have become probably the biggest quality bagpipe manufacturers in the world. Their instruments go to all pipe-playing nations in North and South America, Asia, Oceania and Europe. Their factory is leading the way in using robotic manufacturing equipment to take much of the tedium out of the pipe making process. The firm employs 32 people, some part time,…

Atholl Gathering 2025 Full Results – Updated with Comment and Pictures

The Atholl Gathering was held yesterday (May 25) in the grounds of Blair Castle, Perthshire. Seventy-three solo pipers, junior and senior, entered meaning an early 9.30am start. The weather was a mix of cold wind, heavy rain and sunshine. There were graded senior contests for piobaireachd. March, Strathspey and Reel and Hornpipe & Jig were open. The ceòl beag was split into four heats with four pipers in each progressing…

Review: The Lark in The Evening, a Concert by St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band

Many people will be surprised to know that St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band has never played a high profile concert in their home city. Sure, there have been some low-key performances over the years, but nothing as significant as this. The announcement of ‘The Lark in The Evening’ was therefore a very welcome development and sold out quickly. The 400-seater Lark Theatre in the North County Dublin town of Balbriggan…

Record Entry at Atholl Gathering (Draws Updated)

Seventy three pipers, senior and junior, have entered for the Atholl Gathering to be held in the grounds of Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, this Sunday May 25. Lists are capped at 25 in the C grade piobaireachd events. The music starts at 9.30am. Judges on duty are E Anderson, L Barclay, R Barnes, B Donaldson, A Forbes, D Fraser, P Hunt, W Morrison, L Tannock, DJ MacIntyre, R MacShannon,…

Community Outrage Overshadows Clan Donald Competition Return

The Donald MacDonald Cuach piobaireachd competition will return after six years on Friday, 30th May, against a backdrop of controversy surrounding the sale of its historic venue, Armadale Castle. Four pipers—Alasdair Henderson, Finlay Johnston, William McCallum, and Stuart Liddell—will compete at the isle of Skye landmark, which was unexpectedly put on the market in March by the Clan Donald Lands Trust (CDLT). By Alison McGillivray The competition’s revival comes amid…