We had a very well attended piobaireachd tutorial the other night as part of the Piobaireachd Society’s ‘Talk Piobaireachd’ series, writes the Editor. The tune I went through was the peerless Lament for Mary MacLeod and amongst other things I spoke of how it was so very difficult to play properly. Indeed I don’t think I have heard it truly mastered with any consistency. Anyway, we then got on, inevitably,…

US-based piper, teacher and piobaireachd authority Jimmy McIntosh MBE is now at the proofing stage of his new book reminiscing on his long life in piping. The montage above shows him having his daily tune at his home in South Carolina, with the Glenfiddich trophy in 1974 and in a promo shot for a new album. Jimmy (94) is still very fit and alert for his age and and has…

It is with regret we report the passing of Dr Hugh Hepburn, Aberdeen. Dr Hepburn, who was 80, was a member of the Portlethen and District Pipe Band and a supporter of piping throughout his life. He pioneered the idea of a ‘seniors’ competition for retired professional pipers and this ran for many years at the Lochaber Gathering in Fort William, with generous sponsorship coming from Hugh’s own pocket. He…

The fifth and concluding part of our interview with Stephen Creighton, leading drummer of St Laurance O’Toole Pipe Band and the current World Drum Corps Champions. Stephen talks of how he tranformed his corps into world champions and what the future might hold…. Suddenly the mobile phone appeared and we were able to send videos, music, chat and form groups within certain apps to keep everyone updated. That made things…