Before Scotland? Ladies Pipe Bands in Victoria, Australia

The story of ladies’ pipe bands is usually told from Scotland outwards, Scotland first, then the diaspora scattered around the Commonwealth. That is understandable, but it is also incomplete. If we are looking for the early history of women in pipe bands, the trail does not begin neatly in Scotland in the 1930s. It leads to Victoria, Australia, and especially to the Western District: and cities and towns such as…

Kenmore and Inverness Games Results (Updated)

Jen Mackintosh reports from last week’s Kenmore Games in Perthshire: A rather wet and dreich evening at Kenmore, but the pipers persevered as always. Midgies were quite considerate and stayed away until near the end! Have attached a picture of prizewinners [above]. Judge was Robert Barnes. 18 & U March: 1 Arthur Mackay 2 Cailean Acamovic 3 Sam Brass 4 Lily Robertson18 & U S&R: 1 Arthur Mackay 2 Lily Robertson 3 Cailean Acamovic 4 Ruaridh Lean18…

Editor’s Notebook: Band Medleys/ Games Updates/ Lochaber Entry/ Mod 1982 Picture

Another of our brave, anonymous correspondents has chipped in apropos my comments on band medleys saying that I am longing for the glory days of Muirhead & Sons. You should understand my faceless friend that there were no ‘glory days’ for Muirheads under the medley regime from 1970 onwards. They all belonged to Shotts, Dysart, Edinburgh Police, and then Strathclyde Police. The imposition of the medley was a huge sea…

Worlds Draw Announced as Numbers Exceed 2025

The RSPBA has confirmed the entry of 211 bands for this year’s World Pipe Band Championships to be held in Glasgow over two days, August 14/15. Last year we had 202 bands. This year there are entrants from all pipe-playing regions of the world. The uptick is a significant achievement for the Association which has been criticised for the arrangements at major championships this year and last. Chief Executive Colin…

Forres and Luss Games Results

Both these games were held last Saturday, July 4th. Luss, on the shores of Loch Lomond, was blustery with showers. Forres, on the Moray coast, had more clement weather. Champion Piper at Forres was Norman Gillies. He is pictured above with his nephew Rhoridh MacDonald who won his first chanter competition at the same gathering. Results as follows: Piob: 1 Norman Gillies (Earl of Seaforth’s Salute) 2 Hamish Munro 3…