Well, readers. What’s up? “It’s an adverb!” I’m aware of that, thank you. What I mean is, how is the COVID-19 situation in your part of the world? From what I gather, the picture globally remains quite inconsistent yet. In some places, such as Australia, where we in Scotland had […]
Latest news
Killin’ time out the rain
Winter Storm cancelled again / Ian K. on form at online Maxville / Andy Matthews new Oban PM
Next year’s annual Winter Storm has been cancelled. This will be the second consecutive year the popular event has been cancelled outright due to the on going COVID-19 pandemic. Organisers said today in a statement: “In view of the continuing impact of COVID-19 on global travel, the Midwest Highland Arts […]
McCallum’s to supply bagpipe for Queen’s celebrations / Donald Drone enjoys the ‘craic’ at band practice
McCallum Bagpipes is to suply a set of bagpipes as part of efforts to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee in 2022 around the UK and the Commonwealth. As we reported exactly two months ago, pipers are asked to help mark the milestone by playing a tune composed for the occasion […]
For those about to pipe …
We toyed with the idea of making Bon Scott the latest installment of our occasional Famous Pipers series. However, Bon himself would never have described himself as a piper so why should we? Today, though, we wish to pay tribute to the Aussie rocker who would have turned 75 this […]
The history of the Argyllshire Gathering, part 21
1948 By Jeannie Campbell MBE In 1948, the Gaelic Concert took place in Oban Old Parish Church Hall on the evening of the first day of the Gathering. Sir Charles MacLean Bt., Duart Castle, Chief of the MacLeans, presided. The programme included Oban Gaelic Choir plus various other vocal and […]
Brodie Watson-Massey: The future won’t stop coming
It may be a cliché to say this but lockdown has been hard for everyone. Our struggles and experiences will have differed greatly but for most people reading this, the common struggle has been the lack of social gatherings that revolve around our instrument. The stoicism that the world has […]
Pipe band optimism / Beaumont recital and NI festival / Kimberley Regiment tune book reprinted / Celebrating St. Columba
There seems to be a sense of optimism among the pipe band community in Scotland that a competition season will return in 2022, writes the Editor. Bagpipe.News has been contacted this week – unprompted – by quite a number of individuals who speak of much positivity at band practices and […]
Stuart Letford: Why 1971 was a remarkable year for pipe bands
The medley has now been a feature of pipe band competitions for 50 years. Prior to this, it was MSRs all the way. Today, the pipe band medley at the top level is far removed from those early years – and even from fairly recent years. Listen to most Grade 1 […]
Magersfontein brought closer / History of pipe bands chronicled in Jeannie’s new book
Reader, Fiona Stephen, has been in touch with some fascinating information about three members of her family who fought at the Battle of Magersfontein. Fiona’s information shows us that this iconic battle, immortalised in pipe music, is really not as long ago as we think. The battle was fought on […]