History: Cowal Gathering Programme from 1947 Reflects SPBA Dispute

I have recently acquired a copy of the Cowal Highland Gathering programme from 1947, writes Trevor Clydesdale. The dispute between the Gathering’s organisers and the then Scottish Pipe Band Association was in full flow and it is interesting to note that no band names for the Cowal World Championship were shown in the programme. Presumably this may have been due to the uncertainty over entries with threats of bans for…

Editor’s Notebook: PS Conference/ NI Bands/ D.R. MacLennan’s Pipes/ Missing Trophy

A week from now we will have the first Piobaireachd Society Conference since 2019. It can be difficult to re-kindle enthusiasm after so long a gap, easy-option Zoom meetings making us all lazy and complacent. But the benefit of human contact and a face to face welcome cannot be underestimated, and the Conference has been part of the furniture in the piping world since as far back as many can…

Review: ‘Music from Mull’ A New Collection of Pipe Tunes by Calum Maclean

This collection, ‘Music from Mull’, is a newly published volume of bagpipe tunes composed and collected by Calum Mclean. Calum is a well known Muileach, a piper and resident of Tobermory. Like many of the Hebridean islands, Mull is full of Gaelic music, and whilst this may not be the first publication of pipe music emanating from the island, this collection is a wee gem.  A total of 40 light…

Frank Andrews Tribute Concert and New Developments and News from Northern Ireland and Eire

A small number of tickets, £25 and £15, remain for the P/M Frank Andrews Tribute Concert to be held in the Tullyglass Hotel, Ballymena on Friday April 28th . These can be purchased online through www.ticketsource.co.uk. Headlining the concert will be the 13-time World Champions, Field Marshal Montgomery, which Frank served as drone tuner for some two decades. Also taking part will be a FMM former members’ quartet, while the…

Scottish Schools Results/ Ayr Festival Results/ SPA Juvenile Draw

Isle of Arran Schools (above), Lochgilphead A, Hutchesons’ Grammar, Glasgow High School, Fettes College, Dollar Academy and Skye Youth Pipe Band hit the right note with the judges at this year’s annual Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship, writes Fergus Robb. An array of bands, quartets and freestyle groups showcased their skills on Sunday (March 12) at Kilmarnock’s William McIlvanney Campus. More than 120 schools went head-to-head across 81 performances, vying for success in…