Aboyne Highland Games in Aberdeenshire have become the first outdoor gathering to introduce an internet-based competition during the Covid-19 pandemic. The contest covers their Open Piobaireachd and Open March and Strathspey and Reel competitions. They will ask pipers to make an audio recording on Games Day, August 1st. This will be sent to the Piping Convenor Jack Taylor who will send it on to the judges. Usual prize money will…

I’m rather concerned for the future of the pipe band movement. I read yesterday about the threat to choirs and other musical groupings. They won’t be able to play or sing indoors ‘in the foreseeable future’ said this particular gloomster. And this was in England, not in we-can-out-Lockdown-the-world Scotland. Add to that this week’s outburst from the Visit Scotland agency. They are calling into question outdoor festivals and events happening…

The Board of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association have decided to have our AGM on Sat 27 June 2020, but in a very different way. We’re asking all bands to vote through an online portal, as with the current restrictions we can not get people together in time to meet our legal responsibilities. We are focusing on the things which are legally required, so Committee Reports, Approval of Accounts,…

Poppy Scotland have sent this: ‘Whether you’re a passionate piper, masterful musician or simply want to stand proud and shine a light of remembrance on the brave men who gave their lives or were captured and taken thousands of miles across to Eastern Europe where they remained until the end of the War, join us as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the ‘other Dunkirk’, the Battle of St Valery-en-Caux,…

We are grateful to Alistair Aitken OBE, former RSPBA adjudicator for drawing our attention to this humorous piece which first appeared in the RSPBA’s Pipe Band magazine several years ago. Says Alistair: ‘The article is quite funny but also very realistic. I remember going to Cowal under similar circumstances to compete in Grade 4 with Colinton & Currie Pipe Band [above] in the 1960s. 4.30am start so that we could play…