1933-1934 By Jeannie Campbell MBE In 1933 the usual advertisements appeared in the usual newspapers during August ahead of the Gathering on September 13 and 14. Accommodation at hotels and boarding houses was taxed to the utmost. The Duke of Argyll, chieftain of the gathering, was not present this year. The […]
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 […]
• 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, […]
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 […]
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, 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
By Seán Donnelly The Desmond Rebellion of 1579-83, the suppression of which devastated the province of Munster, culminated in the slaying of Gerald Fitzgerald, 14th Earl of Desmond, at Glanageenty, near Tralee in Co. Kerry, in November 1583. The Earl’s extensive lands in the counties of Cork, Kerry and Limerick, […]
