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1921 comes to its Census

1921 comes to its Census

By Stuart Letford for Bagpipe.news Pages from the 1921 Census in the United Kingdom (UK) were made available for the first time yesterday. Unfortunately, the pages only cover England and Wales. The pages that cover Scotland won’t be released until late this year due to “complications” as a result of […]

Stuart Letford reviews ‘I Piped That She Might Dance’

Stuart Letford reviews ‘I Piped That She Might Dance’

I’ve long thought that Angus MacKay’s life would make for a great film. It has it all: sex, drugs (well, alcohol), rock n’ roll and a young death. Angus went from a childhood of poverty to an adolescence spent frequenting palaces and hobnobbing with the great and good of his […]

Famous pipers: Dr. Roddy Ross

Famous pipers: Dr. Roddy Ross

By ANDRA NOBLE Roderick – Roddy – Sutherland Ross, who died in Grimsby, Lincolnshire on August 13, 2016, aged 95, was a well known name in piping. He was a noted piper and author of Binneas is Boreraig, the acclaimed six-volume work on the piping of Malcolm Macpherson. Roddy, pictured […]

The history of the Argyllshire Gathering, part 36

The history of the Argyllshire Gathering, part 36

1970-1971 By Jeannie Campbell MBE In 1970, the Gathering took place on August 26-27. The set tunes for the Open and Clasp competitions were The Big Spree (including tripling and Crunluath variations), Lord Lovat’s Lament, Craigellachie, Nameless (Hiharin Odin Hiharin Dro), Clanranald’s Salute and The Prince’s Salute. Four were to […]

Stuart Letford: Mind your language

Stuart Letford: Mind your language

It was, was it not, pleasing to learn that the Irish language – Irish Gaelic – has received full status as an official language of the European Union? What a tremendous boost for the language of that fine country. Language is the principal method of human communication and this time […]

Peter brings 2022 in with style

Peter brings 2022 in with style

WO1 Pipe Major Peter MacGregor of the Army School of Piping and Highland Drumming in Edinburgh brought in the new year last night from Edinburgh Castle. In what may be his last stint in the role, the Assynt native was in fine form playing high above the Scottish capital amid […]

The best of 2021

The best of 2021

Another year draws to a close. Another strange year. Another frustrating year. Here at Bagpipe.news we were in two minds, given the fact few piping activities have been able to take place for the second year in succession, whether or not to post an end of the year ‘award’ list. […]

Piping in London – Part 7

Piping in London – Part 7

1873-76 By Jeannie Campbell MBE After the success of the Highland Gatherings of 1871 and the Scottish Fete of 1872, another gathering was planned for 1873. It took place on Saturday, June 28 at Alexandra Park, with upwards of 10,000 people present. The proceedings commenced at one o’clock with a […]