Daily News

50 years of judging

50 years of judging

Today’s article from our archives was originally a lecture. In 1985 James Campbell, the son of Archibald Campbell of Kilberry, delivered the John MacFadyen Memorial Trust Annual Lecture. It took place in the Chapel Royal of Stirling Castle on April 26, the night before the Piobaireachd Society Conference. Campbell’s lecture […]

Scottish Championships cancelled

Scottish Championships cancelled

The 2020 Scottish Pipe Band Championships was cancelled today by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA). The news will come as no surprise to the pipe band community. The cancellation of the ‘Scottish’ – the fourth of the RSPBA five annual major pipe band championships – came one day […]

Changing styles in pibroch playing – part 2

Changing styles in pibroch playing – part 2

By Peter Cooke In the first part of this article I described how two distinct performing traditions, which existed at the end of the 18th century, could be exemplified in the way notators chose to write out what is best regarded as one formulaic motif — the echoing beat on […]

Changing styles in pibroch playing – part 1

Changing styles in pibroch playing – part 1

With most of us self-isolating during these uncertain times, there is, perhaps inevitably, a dearth of news to report. However, we at Bagpipe.news will continue to use this time to bring you great articles from our archives. Today’s piece was written by Dr Peter Cooke and published in The International […]

Finlay MacDonald appointed NPC’s new Director of Piping

Finlay MacDonald appointed NPC’s new Director of Piping

Finlay MacDonald has today been appointed as the Director of Piping of the National Piping Centre (NPC). He takes up his new role in June. The NPC released the following statement today: “The Board of the National Piping Centre is delighted to announce that Finlay MacDonald has been appointed to […]

VE Day 75 date change / ‘Pipes up!’ on Thursday

VE Day 75 date change / ‘Pipes up!’ on Thursday

Organisers of VE Day 75, which was to have taken place on May 8-10, hope to re-schedule the event for the weekend of August 14-15 – the same weekend as the World Pipe Band Championships. Gourock Highland Games had been set to play a leading role in VE Day 75, […]

Finlay MacDonald appointed Artistic Director for Piping Live! 2020

Finlay MacDonald appointed Artistic Director for Piping Live! 2020

Finlay MacDonald, pictured, a member of staff at the National Piping Centre (NPC) for almost 20 years, has been appointed Artistic Director of this year’s Piping Live! Glasgow International Festival of Piping, the world’s largest bagpipe festival. MacDonald has been involved with the festival’s programming since its inception in 2003. […]

James Murray, who dressed for the occasion, competing yesterday from his home.

CLASP competition success amid coronavirus lockdown

This weekend’s amateur piping competition held for members of the Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers (CLASP) was voted an overwhelming success by competitors and judges alike. As a result of the Conronavirus pandemic, the contest was held using videoconferencing technology and audio files. Competitors – from around the world […]

2020 All Ireland postponed

2020 All Ireland postponed

The All Ireland Pipe Band Championships will not now be held on July 4. The Ireland Pipe Band Association and the RSPBA(NI) have postponed the event until later in the year citing concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The contest was due to take place in Newbridge House and Demesne […]

North Berwick, 2012. Jenny Hazzard competing for judges Ronnie McShannon and Hugh MacCallum.

More cancellations / Bagpipe Shop closes temporarily

The RSPBA has confirmed the cancellation of four more pipe band contests in response to the current Coronavirus outbreak (CoVid-19): July 4 – Annan August 8 – North Berwick August 22 – Rothesay The cancellation of Rothesay (Bute Highland Games) and North Berwick will be of particular concern to others […]