Tag: Alasdair Gillies

Andrew Pitkeathly: a great piper and a great person

Andrew Pitkeathly: a great piper and a great person

By MARK MacKENZIE Graham Adams’ recent article on Bagpipe.news brought back to me my own memories of Andrew Pitkeathly. As Graham mentioned in his piece, I stayed in Scotland for 12 months from November 1989 to November 1990 and received tuition from Andrew during that time. Graham was my first […]

Famous pipers: Andrew Pitkeathly

Famous pipers: Andrew Pitkeathly

When it comes to conversations about great pipers, Andrew Pitkeathly is sometimes overlooked, particularly by younger pipers today. A military man, he had modest competitive success: he won the Gold Medal at the 1949 Northern Meeting when a young Corporal, the same year in which he joined the Pipe Majors’ […]

The history of the Argyllshire Gathering, part 21

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 […]

CLASP profile: David Mackenzie

CLASP profile: David Mackenzie

Today, we feature another member of CLASP. David Mackenzie is next for shaving, as the late Pipe Major Robert Kilgour, would have put it. Where are you from and how did you get into piping?I am from Invergordon in the north of Scotland. My father was a piper in the […]

John Mulhearn reviews Fred Morrison’s second collection

John Mulhearn reviews Fred Morrison’s second collection

By John Mulhearn There are few pipers in the Highland piping tradition that command the depth of respect that Fred Morrison enjoys. His entertaining and highly charged solo performances on the concert stage are legendary and unique. Equally, his thoughtful and deeply musical performances on the competition stage have earned […]

Piping society’s tribute to P.M. Iain Morrison

Piping society’s tribute to P.M. Iain Morrison

By Dr John Smith, chairman of the Lewis and Harris Piping Society Pipe Major Iain Murdo Morrison passed away at the Western Isles Hospital, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis on December 17. Although he had been unwell for some time his death came somewhat unexpectedly, and caused ripples of sorrow in […]