MacDougall of Aberfeldy, the Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria and Dunolly House

I noticed the brief feature on Piping Press concerning the sale of Dunolly House, Aberfeldy, and its association with the MacDougall pipemakers. Some facts and dates concerning Duncan MacDougall’s places of residence and his being a ‘Royal piper’. These are all from my ‘Bagpipe Makers’ books. By 1873 Duncan MacDougall was piper to Breadalbane at Taymouth Castle but he continued his pipe making business in Aberfeldy. By Jeannie Campbell Duncan’s…

My Father, P/M Robert Reid – Part 3

We continue with our correspondence from Robert Reid jnr. to Jimmy McIntosh. This abridged letter is dated July 1994. There are comments about RG Hardie, the firm of RG Lawrie, the Piobaireachd Society, John MacDougall Gillies, William Connell, John MacDonald, Inverness, and RU Brown and RB Nicol who, he reveals, went to his father for lessons…. Bob Hardie to my knowledge never was employed by Lawries. Hardie was an apprentice…

Ireland North and South: Terry Takes VP Job/ Warnock Documentary/ Tullylagan Book/ Kenny Crothers/ Innovation in Cork

At a recent Irish Pipe Band Association National Executive Committee meeting it was decided to appoint a Vice-President to assist President Con O’Conaill. The NEC are very aware that an officer might not be able to fulfil his/her public duties at any given time.  The name of Pipe Major Terry Tully was proposed by Brian MacMahon and seconded by Johnny Sheehan and Terry was unanimously elected by the NEC to…

All Ireland Pipe Band Results

This competition, run by the Irish Pipe Band Association and the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch, was held yesterday in variable conditions in Balymena. G1 : 1 Field Marshall 2 St Laurence O’Toole 3 Closkelt; Best bass: FMMG2: 1 Ravara 2 Manorcunningham 3 St Joseph’s 4 St Mary’s; Best bass: RavaraG3a: 1 Tullylaggan 2 Clogher 3 Kildoag 4 Maj. Sinclair; Best bass: ClogherG3b: 1 Cullybackey; Best bass: CullybackeyG4a: 1 Syerla 2…

Luss Games – Comment and Pictures Added

A mostly dry but blustery day in the shadow of Ben Lomond with a very strong entry in the Open competition. Pictured on the boards today is Edward Gaul, the winner of the ceòl mòr. The organisers announced a crowd of 3,800 in attendance with a feast of piping both professional and amateur. Open Piobaireachd, four tunes asked for, 18 played, three prizes, six places.1 Edward Gaul, The Groat2 Brian…