Black Donald’s March – Piobaireachd Dhomnuill Duibh – is a piobaireachd in the secondary classification that has been adapted successfully into a 6/8 march, a jig and a hornpipe. It has been popular with pipers ever since it appeared in Donald MacDonald’s book in the early 19th century. Pipe settings […]
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The history of the Argyllshire Gathering, part 29
1960-1961 By Jeannie Campbell MBE At the Argyllshire Gathering in 1960, as in previous years, tunes were set for the Open competition but not for the Gold Medal. Four out of the nine were to be submitted. The tunes were The Prince’s Salute, Scarce of Fishing, The Blue Ribbon, The […]
Here’s mair from Blair
By MacGregor Kennedy If they should enquire of you, “Why do you love old Scotland so?” it will be apparent that they have never encountered the bright prospect of making for the Vale of Atholl on a brilliant autumn day such as we had on our way to the 14th […]
HND in Music course for pipers now offered
Pipers can now study at the National Piping Centre for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Music. The Scottish Qualifications Authority, the Scottish Government body responsible for accrediting educational awards, approved the course recently. The HND is part-funded by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for eligible Scottish students […]
Bands to receive 50% rebate on RSPBA membership renewals / Blàs 2021
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) announced that its members pipe bands can receive a 50% reduction on their membership fees for 2022. Its Board of Directors said in astatement: “The loss of all our Major Championships for the past two years has had a serious impact on the […]
PT Annual launch party / NYPBoS at King Tut’s climate shindig
Some of the world’s leading pipers have been lined up to perform at the launch of the inaugural Piping Times Annual next month. The launch party will take place at the National Piping Centre on Friday, November 26 from 7.30pm. Confirmed so far are four-time Glenfiddich champion, Angus MacColl, a […]
Vintage prizes donated / Mòd on the march to Perth / Fraser Fifield recording
Two interesting prizes awarded to two brothers at Victorian-era Northern Meetings have been donated to the trustees of the Inverness-based piping competition. The prizes are snuff mills, one presented to Duncan Ross for the “third best performance on the Great Highland Bagpipes” at the 1862 Northern Meeting, and the other […]
The history of the Argyllshire Gathering, part 28
1958-1959 By Jeannie Campbell MBE The ten tunes set for the Open competition in 1958 were The Battle of the Pass of Crieff, Lament for Donald Bàn MacCrimmon, Donald Gruamach’s March, The Earl of Antrim’s Lament, Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute, Scarce of Fishing, Colin Roy MacKenzie’s Lament, The Park Piobaireachd, […]
Historic former MacDonald clan seat restored
Monkstadt House in north Skye, once the seat of the island’s powerful Clan Donald, has been fully restored to its former glory. Skye builder, James MacQueen purchased the historic 18th century building and spent three years working on it. Monkstadt House became the seat of the Clan Donald in 1732 […]
Tickets for Bratach Gorm now available
The Scottish Piping Society of London has announce details for next month’s London Competition held in The Caledonian Club near Hyde Park Corner in Belgravia. The competition takes place on November 5-6 and will mark the 81st annual competition. Tickets for Saturday’s competitions – including Premier, A and B grade, […]
