We are sad to report the passing of the traditional music historian and researcher Keith Sanger on August 1, 2025. Keith lived in Penicuik and worked for the NHS for many years before retiring, which meant he could spend more time researching. He was an extremely thorough researcher, and the National Archives of Scotland was virtually his second home.
He wrote a great many articles for the Piping Times – he was a subscriber since 1969 – but also other publications including Common Stock, Wire Strung Harp, West Highland Notes and Queries and others, and he was an authority on the history of harp playing in Scotland and Ireland.
In 2006, he co-wrote with Roddy Cannon a critical edition of Donald MacDonald’s Collection of Piobaireachd, Volume 1 (1820). The two later produced Volume 2.
A few of Keith’s articles can be found on the bagpipe.news links below.