Pipers Selected to Play in Gold & Silver Medals at Oban 2017 – Updated with Northern Meeting Lists

The following pipers have been notified individually of their eligibility to compete in the 2017 Gold and Silver Medals at the Argyllshire Gathering. Torquil Telfer, Piping Convenor at Oban, said they had increased their normal Gold Medal intake by one this year. ‘We received 29 entries and rather than have our usual 28 with one reserve thought it best that on this occasion we accept everyone,’ he said. ‘It makes a…

Uist & Barra Professional: Playing Order, Tunes and More History

The first major professional competition of the year, the Uist & Barra, takes place in Glasgow on Saturday. Entry is £12; venue: College of Piping; date: March 4 at 9am. Pipers will compete in ceol mor, ceol beag and port grad-charach (hornpipe) and port cruinn (jig). Here is the running order and the tunes chosen by the committee for the pipers to play: Ceol Mor: 1 Glenn Brown, Patrick Òg MacCrimmon’s…

‘Live Back in Ireland’ Picture Gallery – Updated with report from Ulster- Scots Reception

The ‘Live Back in Ireland ’87’ concert was held in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, last night. Many of the original 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band were joined by an all-star cast of guest players from the UK and Ireland for the show compèred by Bob Worrall. During the evening Bob presented souvenirs to, among others, Kenny Stewart, who wrote of the original concert for Piping Press, Winston Pinkerton (RSPBANI President), and Meaghan…

P/M Donald MacLeod and That Escape from the Nazis During WW2

Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE seldom spoke of his early years or of his adventures during World War Two. What little we know from various sources reveals him to be much more than a marvellous musician and teacher. Donald was an extremely resourceful and courageous soldier. We had all heard the rumour that he had for a short time been a prisoner of the Nazis but had escaped. Wee Donald would almost always divert any…

Live in Ireland at Blackthorn Pipers/ Entry Forms Posted

Ryan Cupples-Menendez, a member of Grade 1 PSNI Pipe Band, was the Blackthorn Piper at the Blackthorn Pipers Society Meeting at the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre, Belfast on Wednesday, writes John Kelly (left). Also taking part were Ryan’s father Glenn Cupples (PSNI Pipe Band), Ashley McMichael (Field Marshal), Mark Hasson (P/M of Colmcille), Samantha Coburn (Thiepval Memorial), Nathan Coburn (Portavogie) and of course the Society’s Secretary, Grahame Harris (Major Sinclair Mem.) who introduced the…