The Scottish Pipers’ Association’s (SPA) popular annual Juvenile competition will be the latest junior solo piping event to be held online. Crucially, the event is open for entries from young pipers all around the world, although entrants must be a member of the historic piping organisation. SPA President, Logan Tannock, […]
The 29th annual amateur piobaireachd competition for the Archie Kenneth Quaich will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2021, writes Dr Peter McCalister of the Piobaireachd Society. We hope to hold it in the usual venue, the rooms of the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society at 127 Rose Street Lane South, […]
Jeannie Campbell’s* article from Wednesday – The oldest civilian pipe band – has caused something of a stir with some readers. Davy Robinson from Falkirk writes: “I enjoyed reading the article but surely your headline should’ve read, ‘The earliest civilian pipe band’? After all, the Breadalbane band and the Aberfeldy […]
For the past few years one of the popular elements to the annual Piping Live! festival has been the Trade Fair. Clearly, due to the coronavirus pandemic it could not be held this year. However, to coincide with next weekend’s 47th annual Glenfiddich Solo Piping Championships – which is being […]
As our photograph shows, it is a ‘full house’ inside Eden Court’s main theatre this week. The Inverness venue’s Empire Theatre has been transformed into a hub for Highland Council’s emergency response to the pandemic situation across the region. All the plush, blue velvet seats plus the stage itself – […]
Media reports of a coronavirus vaccine being introduced shortly after Christmas have been dismissed by a leading Scottish respiratory doctor who is also a piper. Reports in at least two British newspapers at the weekend suggested the National Health Service’s staff will shortly undergo training to administer a vaccine before […]
With the pipe band world hoping that 2021 will see a return to pipe band competitions and championships, pipers whose pipes contain ivory and who plan to travel to the United Kingdom can apply now for a free Musical Instrument Certificate (MIC). For some time now pipers, and other musicians […]
With no pipe band competitions able to take place this year and next year looking questionable, the RSPBA has nevertheless contacted pipe band secretaries to ask for 2021 registration fees to be paid. In a letter emailed to band secretaries on October 12, the RSPBA said: “There is no doubt […]
Pipe maker, Blue MacMurchie of West Calder, Scotland and his father have composed a lovely march in honour of a soldier who was killed after piping his way to a German trench on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Blue was asked to refurbish the soldier’s pipes […]
Ian Burrows, the Project Officer for the RSPBA’s Northern Ireland branch, retired last week. A native of Lisburn, Ian had been in the role for eight years. A spokesman for the branch said: “We wish to sincerely thank Ian for his service and commitment since commencing the role in 2012. […]
