Northern Meeting Revisited – Part 2

For this article we have a review of the 2026 Clasp competition by adjudicator Dr Jack Taylor MBE. For some inexplicable reason the BBC chose not to record this world class event, opting instead for the light music. Their microphones missed some outstanding piping, none better than the performance by the winner, Callum Beaumont. Fortunately Callum had friends around who did the recording job for him and they have kindly…

Editor’s Notebook: Harry McNulty/ Angus Award/ Jeannie Book/ Gunn Pipes/ Pitlochry Piobaireachd

Sad to report the passing of Harry McNulty, one of the unassuming heroes of the pipe band world. Those who played under him at Lothian & Borders Police (1976–1982), B Cal./ Scottish Power (1982–1992), all testify to his expertise as a pipe major and musician. Harry was also central to the work of the William Sinclair & Co pipe making firm, designing and testing chanters for the renowned company throughout…

Northern Meeting Revisited – Part 1

A superb performance of Port Urlar earned Calum Brown, Aberdeen (pictured above), the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal at Inverness. His father Graham has supplied a partial recording of Calum’s winning performance, from the taorluath onwards. Graham has also sent us a video of the ground recorded at the graveside of P/M John Stewart, Aberdeen City Police, who taught both father and son. It is understood Calum’s complete performance…

The London Recital Returns for 2026

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, The London Recital will return on Friday, 2 October 2026, with Callum Beaumont (above left) and P/M Ben Duncan headlining an evening of world class ceòl mòr and ceòl beag. This year’s recital will be held at St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate in the City of London, bringing together pipers and supporters from across the piping community for an evening of music and whisky, once…

Blairgowrie Games Results/ Raasay Piping Report

Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games were held yesterday (Sept.6), writes Piping Convenor Stuart Samson. Conditions were mild with drizzle through out the morning, clearing up in the afternoon. There was a good entry of 60 competitors across juniors and seniors and only a few withdrawals on the day, resulting in a full on day of quality piping. Open Piob: 1 Sandy Cameron 2 Ben Duncan 3 Peter McCalister 4 Eireann…