PP Ed’s Blog: Band MSRs/ Aberdeen Games/ Honours/ New Books/ Renfrew PB

I have some sympathy with the views of Calum and Stewart who commented on ‘The Analyst’ piece on MSRs – some sympathy but not too much. It is one of the problems of pipe band competition that the legislators, those who have the power to effect positive change, seldom sit through the events in need of an overhaul. Nor do bands people, the competitors, those on whose views the RSPBA…

Why Ensemble Matters in Pipe Band Adjudication – Part 2

Pipe band adjudication expert Alistair Aitken concludes his well-received article on the place of ensemble judging in the modern pipe band world. Not read the first instalment yet? Click here….. There are of course other factors which affect adjudication. While the approach can be objective, the final assessment is very much a subjective process and it is highly unlikely that results and comments will be the same unless there is collusion…

Donald MacLeod Memorial Results

The Donald MacLeod Memorial Competition was held today in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. A good crowd saw Angus MacColl crowned Champion Piper. Piobaireachd 1. Angus MacColl 2. Finlay Johnston 3. Iain Speirs 4. Roderick MacLeod March, Strathspey & Reel 1. Angus MacColl 2. Niall Stewart 3. Roderick MacLeod 4. Craig Sutherland Hornpipe & Jig 1. Craig Sutherland 2. Niall Stewart 3. Iain Speirs 4. Glenn Brown Overall – Angus MacColl…

P/M Jimmy Jackson

The well known pipe major and solo piping adjudicator James Jackson has died at home after a long illness. He was 76. Jimmy’s funeral will take place at Rosskeen Free Church, Alness, on Monday 9th April followed by an interment. In the 1960s Jimmy was a noted member of the Invergordon Distillery Pipe Band under P/M Donald Shaw Ramsay, winning every major championship with them bar the Worlds. He later…

PP Ed’s Blog: Vintage Pipes for Sale/ Dunedin Games/ Lament for the CoP/ NEPADA/ Robert Turner

A very special set of pipes is offered for sale today via our Online Ads service. The instrument pictured above is a vintage bagpipe by Peter Henderson and dated 1904/05. It is in fully engraved silver (no ivory worries) and African blackwood, complete with original pipe chanter. The pipes were made for a Gordon Highlander and have been in the seller’s family for many years. They come complete with wooden…