News

Ian K. on top at SPA’s 2021 comp. for pros

Ian K. on top at SPA’s 2021 comp. for pros

Ian K. McDonald of Ontario, Canada [pictured] was the overall A/Premier Grade champion at this year’s Scottish Pipers’ Association solo piping competiton for professional pipers. The competition was held via video submissions recently. Results: A/Premier GradeCeòl Mòr – 1. Ian K. MacDonald; 2. Dr. Peter McCallister; 3. Jamie Forrester.March – 1. Gordon […]

CLASP profile: David Richardson

CLASP profile: David Richardson

• Where are you from and how did you get into piping?I am from Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. I got into piping through my local pipe band, of which my uncle was the Pipe Major. I started to take lessons at Selkirk High School when I was 15. However, […]

Results: CLASP’s virtual highland games

Results: CLASP’s virtual highland games

Giovanni Giulianini of Italy [pictured] was the overall winner of the Grade 1 contest in the recent ‘virtual highland games’ organised by the National Piping Centre’s Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers (CLASP). The competition was sponsored by R. G. Hardie & Co. Overall results:­­­­­­­ Grade 1 (receiving an overall […]

Playing the pipes helps my mental health – Alastair Campbell

Playing the pipes helps my mental health – Alastair Campbell

Alastair Campbell, who was former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s press spokesman until 2000, has spoken of how playing the pipes helps his mental health. The former controversial campaign strategist spoke to a British newspaper yesterday of his love affair with the pipes and how music has a profound effect […]

Dougie Murray.

Dougie Murray steps down at Fife Police

Dougie Murray, the Pipe Major of Scottish Grade 1 pipe band, Police Scotland Fife, is stepping down from the role. The Double Gold Medallist will remain with the band as it seeks to find his successor. The Fife piper has been Pipe Major of the band since since 2013. A […]

Angus MacKay family portrait / PT caption contest

Angus MacKay family portrait / PT caption contest

An Australian descendant of the 19th century piping genius, Angus MacKay is to donate a family portrait to the Museum of Piping at the National Piping Centre. The portrait, pictured below, appears to be an early photograph of Angus’ wife Mary (née Russell) and their son, John. It has been […]

The history of the Argyllshire Gathering, part 16

The history of the Argyllshire Gathering, part 16

1931-1932 By Jeannie Campbell In 1931 the games and balls of the Argyllshire Gathering were held on September 9 and 10. As usual, the Gaelic concert was held on the evening prior to the Gathering (Tuesday 8). Oban had been enjoying a month of glorious weather and this continued during the […]

Ali’s dram good tune! / NPC seeks staff / Seumas’ Citadel

Ali’s dram good tune! / NPC seeks staff / Seumas’ Citadel

An award-winning young piper has turned whisky maker after being enlisted to play to casks of whisky prior to bottling to enhance its flavour. Reader, this may sound like an April Fool story but it isn’t. It’s definitely June 23 today! Dingwall piper and whistle player, Ali Levack, the 2020 […]

Memoirs of Archie MacNeill, part 4

Memoirs of Archie MacNeill, part 4

At the pipers’ pub in the Townhead, all these pipers – Danny A. Campbell of Glendale [Skye], Willie Robb, Michael MacNeill – and others would take turn about to play on the practice chanter. By this time, MacDougall Gillies, who was the manager in Peter Henderson’s shop, had agreed to […]

The Piobaireachd trophy: the Robert Nicol-Robert Brown Chalice.

Nicol-Brown online again for 2021 / Jeannie’s series

The 2021 Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Contest will be held online in October with the prizes being announced on the ninth. This popular contest sees 10 amateur pipers, each nominated by their various North American home associations, receive an invite to compete for the Nicol-Brown Chalice. The invited is based track […]