By Robert Wallace It is with sincere regret that I report the passing of Tommy Johnston, one of the great characters of pipe band drumming and piping, much loved father of Finlay and joint proprietor of world famous reedmaking company Pipe Dreams. Tommy passed away in hospital last night after a short illness aged only 65. His loss will be felt by all who knew him and his hundreds of…

The composing competition for a tune to mark next year’s 150th Anniversay of the Argyllshire Gathering has been won by ex-Scots Guards Pipe Major Iain Lowther. Iain receives the only prize of £1,000 and a certificate marking his achievement. His tune was the unanimous choice of the judging panel comprising P/M James Banks MBE, Robert Wallace, President of the Piobaireachd Society and Editor of Piping Press, and John Wilson formerly…

By Robert Wallace There were a few points I missed in my ‘nightmare scenario’ comments last week. The first is the plight of our bagpipe making/ Highland supplies industry. Orders are slowing. Without pipe band competition, and to a lesser extent solo contests, the future does not look good. The blow to these companies is being offset at the moment by the UK government’s furlough scheme which guarantees 80% of…

One of Scotland’s most popular competitons for young pipers will go ahead this October but only for those on practice chanter. Jon Gerard McClumpha of the promoters, the Caledonian Piping Club, has sent the information below. ‘As everyone knows – we are all in uncharted times & waters, and finding it difficult to steer an easy way out. Nothing is immune to the rippling effects emanating from this terrible virus,…

After Pipe Major Bob Shepherd MBE passed away last year I felt the need to commemorate him in some way and to pay my tribute to the man and his extraordinary accomplishments. First of all, I would like to go back in time somewhat. My first encounter with Bob Shepherd was in 1977 shortly before my 15th birthday. I went to the World Pipe Band Championships in Aberdeen with my father….my…