Scene Around

‘Big Ronnie’ bridges the generations

‘Big Ronnie’ bridges the generations

Ronald Lawrie of Oban (1927-2008) wasn’t called ‘Big Ronnie’ for nothing. But his broad-shouldered, 6ft 5in frame and imposing, square-jawed presence were almost incidental to his considerable stature in piping — and an involvement that began with direct influences from the 19th century and continues into the 21st century. He […]

The real life of Mike Katz

The real life of Mike Katz

While not cut from the cloth of the competitive piper, Mike Katz is one of the world’s most successful American-born pipers. Born in the Los Angeles region of the San Fernando Valley, he broke his piping teeth in his older brother Steve’s high school pipe band – along with a […]

16 questions with Finlay Johnston

16 questions with Finlay Johnston

Bagpipe.news caught up with Finlay Johnston shortly after his second Glenfiddich win last weekend. 1. You travel quite a bit. Is there anything you can’t leave home without?My pipes, my phone and headphones and maybe some paracetamol for the hangovers. 2. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?Bird saliva on […]

Duncan Brown and James Campbell.

Pipers in portrait

James Campbell, the well known piping and pipe band judge, decided to give his Tutor Room some character by hanging portraits of some of the great pipers of the past and present. The dedication of what is now his Pipers’ Room was held last Saturday when the portraits were unveiled. […]