Latest news

11 year old Ella learning the pipes in Saudi

11 year old Ella learning the pipes in Saudi

The National Piping Centre offers a wide range of tuition to people from very different backgrounds, and thanks to the rise in popularity of online tuition the NPC has pupils all over the world. One such student is 11 year old, Ella Stewart, who lives in Saudi Arabia and who […]

Results from Aberdeen Highland Games

Results from Aberdeen Highland Games

Thanks to Dr Jack Taylor for his report and solo piping results from the Aberdeen Highland Games, held at Hazelhead Park on Sunday, June 19: “It was blustery, cold and sometimes wet. 14 played. There was a good crowd and plenty of entertainment including a Father’s Day race and the potential […]

Results from CLASP at TNPC June 2022

Results from CLASP at TNPC June 2022

The in-person CLASP competition was held at The National Piping Centre on Saturday, June 19. The competition was for adult amateur pipers in Grade 1, 2 and 3 with the option for Grade 4 members to play up in Grade 3 events. Judges were Alastair Dunn and Simon McKerrell. The […]

The art and mystery of composition for the bagpipe: part 2

The art and mystery of composition for the bagpipe: part 2

by BILL LIVINGSTONE. Piping Today #101, 2020. My own experience of composing music started when I was in my teens, creating rock and roll songs in the simple three or four-chord form of the times. But still I was doing it, and they gathered some local popularity. Of course there […]

Royal visit to Edinburgh 1822  – the background

Royal visit to Edinburgh 1822 – the background

PART ONE by JEANNIE CAMPBELL MBE. Two hundred years ago Edinburgh was in a frenzy of Royal celebrations equal to those in London in 2022. This was to mark the visit by George IV, the first of the Hanoverian kings to visit Scotland. George IV succeeded to the throne on […]

Roll up! Sign up for the Piping Live! Big Band

Roll up! Sign up for the Piping Live! Big Band

The Piping Live! Big Band will return for its fifth showcase at this year’s festival as pipers of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the mass participation event.  On Monday, August 8, 150 pipers will gather, ranging from little learners playing their chanters to seasoned professionals playing the pipes […]

Piping and drumming instructors wanted

Piping and drumming instructors wanted

Two new vacancies have come up at John Paul Academy in Glasgow for piping and drumming instructors. The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust is co-funding the roles with the schools. The piping and drumming tutors will work one day a week at the Academy and three primary schools.  £30 […]