Editor’s Notebook: John McLellan DCM/ Band Regradings/ Weekend Solos/ Pinkman Collection/ Aussies Adopt PS Set Tunes

Reader Yahya Hussein on the above picture: ‘That rather rare photo was taken right after WW1. His medal bar shows his Great War medal trio, the 1914-1918 Medal, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. ‘That is alongside his Queen’s South African Medal along with his famous DCM won in South Africa when rallying his battalion as they were being cut to pieces by the boers at Magersfontein in…

Legal Action in Ontario: PPBSO Publish Update

Andrew Giles, President of the Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO), has posted this new notice on the Society’s website: ‘As the leadership of the PPBSO, we want to address the ongoing situation that many of you are aware of. We understand that without access to the full scope of information, it’s natural to have questions or concerns. However, we ask for your patience as we navigate this complex…

Torquil Receives Thanks For Four Decades of Success at the Argyllshire Gathering

Perhaps there are some pipers on the dark side of the moon who don’t know Torquil Telfer. Everyone else does. For the past 40 years he has been the welcoming face of the Argyllshire Gathering. Torquil’s dedication has been suitably recognised by his colleagues….. As the last of the Gaels headed home from a successful Mòd in Oban last weekend, family, friends and colleagues from the piping world gathered to…

Band News: RSPBA Regradings Announced/ World Solo Drumming

The Association’s Music Board have confirmed the following changes to band grades. The following 35 bands have all been upgraded for the 2025 season: Novice B to Novice A: Burntisland, Dollar Academy, High School of Dundee, Strathallan School, Scotch College No.2 (Australia) Novice A to Juvenile: Dollar Acad., George Watson’s Coll., Renfrewshire Schools, West Lothian SchoolsGrade 4B to 4A: Altnaveigh, Govan Community, Kilmarnock, City of Discovery, Moneygore, Marlacoo Grade 4B…

Editor’s Notebook: Ten Years After – A Decade of Piping Journalism

Just over ten years ago saw the start of Piping Press, the online continuation of our Piper Press magazine. The latter was taken over by the Piping Times in 1999. I then edited the PT for 15 years before departing Otago Street in 2014. Much has happened during the decade including the regrettable, though predictable, demise of the PT and the College of Piping. Four years ago we had the…