Tag: Alistair Duthie

Tobruk anniversary to be marked in Perth

Tobruk anniversary to be marked in Perth

The 80th anniversary on the breakout and the subsequent fighting of the Second World War’s longest siege will be marked at Balhousie Castle in Perth tomorrow (Sunday). The 2nd Battalion The Black Watch played a key role in the latter stages of the siege of Tobruk, which ended on November […]

Chris Lee competing at the 2018 Atholl Gathering.

New RSPBA sub group / Online Atholl Gathering / Up To The Line podcast

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) has set up a new cross-association working group. The group, the International Liaison Group, is a sub group of the organisation’s Music Board and has been established in order to help improve communication between the member associations around the world and to provide […]

Alistair’s tune for the Forgotten Men / Fred’s book

Alistair’s tune for the Forgotten Men / Fred’s book

Pipe Major Alistair Duthie, formerly of The Black Watch, has composed a tune in memory of the 14th Army, the multi-national force that comprised units from the Commonwealth countries of Great Britain during the Second World War. The 14th Army – dubbed the Forgotten Army because its operations in the […]

Last call for VJ Day pipers / Black Watch piper in Burma

Last call for VJ Day pipers / Black Watch piper in Burma

Pipers around the world are preparing to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Japan (VJ) Day at sunrise tomorrow (06:00) at locations of their choice. Held on what would have been Day Two of the World Pipe Band Championships, pipers that have confirmed their participation include many in the […]

David Ross’ mistimed bar / The Bitch o’ Blazes query / 2021 Set Tunes

David Ross’ mistimed bar / The Bitch o’ Blazes query / 2021 Set Tunes

Roddy Livingstone’s memories of some luminaries of the London piping scene, that appeared on Monday’s Bagpipe.News, rekindled a further memory, this time from Colin MacLellan, chairman of the Solo Piping Judges’ Association. Colin writes: “When my father [Captain John A. MacLellan MBE] won one of his Northern Meeting Clasps in […]

Queen’s piper leads St Valéry commemorations

Queen’s piper leads St Valéry commemorations

Thousands of pipers around the world joined in yesterday’s tribute to commemorate the 80th anniversary of St Valéry. On June 12, 1940, around 10,000 Allied soldiers were taken prisoner there. The 51st (Highland) Infantry Division suffered huge losses. The event was organised by PoppyScotland. Those participating included former Armed Forces […]

Pipers killed / VE Day 75 / PM Whyte

Pipers killed / VE Day 75 / PM Whyte

We are grateful to Pipe Major Alistair Duthie for sending us some statistics on the number of pipers killed or wounded during the Second World War. On Friday we estimated the figure to be 10,000. However, the true figure is a little less. Mr Duthie made the following calculation: “If […]

The Pipes and Drums of The Black Watch marching down Edinburgh's High Street for the fifth opening of the Scottish Parliament. July 2016.

Info on Black Watch pipers sought

The author of a major new book on the pipers of The Black Watch is seeking information from the families and friends of pipers who served in the regiment from 1919 till 1988. Alistair Duthie, who was himself a piper in the 1st Battalion from 1988-2008, serving latterly as Pipe […]