PP Ed’s Blog: Inverness Recital/ Bobby at N Uist/ Northern Winter School/ South Florida/ Bagpipe Sound/ Belfast Tattoo

Alastair Campbell, Secretary of the Inverness Piping Society, has sent notice of a recital by two of the north’s most promising young pipers: ‘Please do come along to the Society’s meeting this Wednesday (tonight) to hear Cameron MacDougall, fresh from his win in the Silver Medal at Oban, along with Charles Macdonald. Usual venue – The Club, Gordon Terrace, Inverness. 7.45 pm.’ I hope as many people as possible get along…

Reflections on the Northern Meeting from P/M Ian McLellan

Time for a first look back at this year’s Northern Meeting, one of the great gatherings in world solo piping, writes the Editor. I had a chat with P/M Ian McLellan, a senior adjudicator on the Former Winners’ MSR bench. He is concerned about the homogenisation of bagpipe sound and the lack of depth in many instruments. Ian, of course, needs no introduction to anyone in the pipe band or…

Nicol – Brown Competition/ Winter Storm Dates

Paula Glendinning (left) of the Nicol-Brown Chalice Committee has sent this: We’re pleased to announce that the 35th Nicol-Brown Competition will be held at the First Reformed Church of Scotia in Scotia, New York, on Saturday, October 7, 2017. The contest will be judged by three of the world’s premier pipers, Ian K. MacDonald (Ontario), Andrew Lee (British Columbia), and Ben McClamrock (Maryland). We are especially proud that all three of these fine musicians competed at…

Robert Burns Junior Piping, Dumfries

This annual contest was held on Saturday Sept 2 at Locharbriggs Primary School, Dumfries. The event was run for first time by Southwest Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy. Good turnout of pipers and drummers in all events. First prize winners in the piping are pictured above. Prizes were presented by Mrs Weatherall from the Hollywood Trust, a major contributor to the SWPDA. Under12 Chanter: 1 Erin Allison 2 Heather McKean 3 Joanne…

Braemar Gathering Results: Updated with Comment, Juniors and Pictures

Fifteen thousand spectarors crammed into Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar yesterday to listen to the solo piping at the 2017 Royal Gathering. It was the biggest crowd ever in the history of our music and shows just how popular it can be, especially when the benches comprise the likes of……… Gold Medal Piobaireachd 1 Anna Kummerlöw, Lament for John Morrison, Assynt House 2 Sandy Cameron, Park Piob No2…