History: Famous Composer John Balloch

Posted on      by      1 Comment

My great grandfather was John Balloch [above], the composer of such popular tunes at the 25th KOSB’s Farewell to Meerut and Auchmountain’s Bonnie Glen. His son Donald, my grandfather, was also a piper. Auchmountain’s Bonnie Glen is a well known beauty spot near Greenock where P/M Balloch settled before WW1. There may be other unattributed tunes of his in the Royal Scots Collection by James Robertson. By Stuart Herron His…

More History: Famous Composer John Balloch

Revisiting the Past: 2/4 Marches and a Letter from Archibald Campbell

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Until the advent of recordings, music was ephemeral. Performances faded from memory, save for occasional outstanding examples imprinted on our minds. Memories become clouded in time, however.  Historic recordings can remind us of what we heard in the past. I am old enough to detect that march playing has arguably deteriorated, even at the highest level.  I can assure readers this is not just a personal view – it is shared…

More Revisiting the Past: 2/4 Marches and a Letter from Archibald Campbell

Jimmy Anderson 1946-2024

Posted on      by      13 Comments

Jimmy Anderson, who has died aged 77, was a World Pipe Band Championship winning piper with Muirhead and Sons and the man who half a century ago led the introduction of bagpipes into folk groups. His successes at the Worlds came in the legendary Muirheads band of the 1960s, and he was the proud owner of three plaques commemorating wins in 1967, ’68 and ’69. With brothers Peter and Tommy,…

More Jimmy Anderson 1946-2024

Royal Honour for the Piobaireachd Society

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

His Majesty The King has agreed to become Patron of The Piobaireachd Society. The news was received by President Robert Wallace in a letter from Buckingham Palace last weekend. It was timed to coincide with the first anniversary of the King and Queen’s Coronation. In a message to the Society’s 1,000+ membership Mr Wallace wrote: ‘I am delighted to be able to tell you that HM The King has agreed…

More Royal Honour for the Piobaireachd Society

Highlands & Islands Festival 2024 Senior & Junior Results

Posted on      by      Leave a comment

Another successful competition was held in the Oban High School today, Saturday, May 4, with healthy entries in most competitions. Sponsors included the Piobaireachd Society, RG Hardie & Co, McCallum Bagpipes and the Competing Pipers’ Association. P/A Ceol Mor for Cooper Salver (1st) and Dugald MacColl Memorial Trophy (2nd).1 Angus J MacColl, I Got a Kiss of the King’s Hand 2 Angus MacPhee, Lament for MacSwan of Roaig3 Calum Watson,…

More Highlands & Islands Festival 2024 Senior & Junior Results