By Lt. Col. David Murray Forty years ago HM The Queen paid her usual autumn visit to Edinburgh, arriving by train which in those days still ran to time. The protocol was that she was greeted at the station by a Guard of Honour found by the Scots Guards, specially […]
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The real life of Colin MacLellan
Piper, teacher, reed maker, judge and all-around bon vivant, Colin has spent a lifetime around bagpipes. While he’s the son of a piping legend in Captain John A, he’s done the business and won the big piping prizes — and much more. In his life he has been a living […]
Playing the bagpipe for no reason other than the pleasure it gives
By Ken Pickles O tell me, Harper, wherefore flow thy wayward notes of wail and woe, Far down the desert of Glencoe, where none may list thy melody? Say, harp’st thou to the mists that fly, or the dun-deer glancing by, Or the eagle, that from high screams chorus to […]
Opinions, assumptions and truths
GREY’S NOTES by Michael Grey Piping Today #65, 2013. Summertime and the livin’ is easy; fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high. Great words; in fact, great lyrics from George and Ira Gershwin. And while it’s our standard holiday season, with weather that’s light on the back, summer isn’t […]
Thinking outside the (pipe) box – Christmas gift ideas
Dropping hints to your spouse this Christmas? Scratching your head trying to think of presents for the piper in your life? A wise man – or woman – should heed our advice. With Christmas upon us, bagpipe.news popped into The Bagpipe Shop in McPhater Street in Glasgow’s city centre to see […]
Inveraray: Pipe Band of 2019 at Scots Trad Music Awards
Inveraray & District Pipe Band was named the Scottish Pipe Band of the Year at the 2019 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards held last night in Aberdeen. The award ceremony has been held annually since 2005 to recognise excellence within Scotland’s thriving musical culture. Approximately 100,000 public votes are […]
Results: Scots Guards Juniors
The Scots Guards Association Junior Solo Piping Competition took place today at the Army School at Inchdrewer House, Edinburgh. The results were: Under 15Ceòl Mòr – 1. Kyle Cameron; 2. Lewis Maxwell; 3. Fraser Hamilton; 4. Ryan McCreadie.March – 1. Fraser Hamilton; 2. Ryan McCreadie; 3. Curran Stainthorpe; 4. Ewan […]
Survey: 100 year evolution of pipe bands
To support Michael Grey’s 100 Years of Pipe Bands project, bagpipe.news here provides an edited version of his recent survey launch. We encourage all those interested to complete the survey. Bagpipe.news will be the first to publish the outcome and summary. By Michael Grey In listening to a recording of […]
Entries for 2020 Junior contests / Down Academy fundraiser
Entries are now open for two Junior solo piping and drumming competitions that take place early in 2020. The National Piping Centre’s (NPC) Junior Competition will be held on Saturday, February 15 at the NPC building in MacPhater Street, Glasgow. Entries close on Friday, January 31, 2020. Full details and […]
Planning for PDQB examinations
The Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB) is the certificating body for a range of qualifications offered jointly by The National Piping Centre (NPC), The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, The Tri Service Cadet Centre, The Piobaireachd Society and The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA). The various qualifications require […]