Tag: Balmoral

Novel gives a new voice to Angus MacKay

Novel gives a new voice to Angus MacKay

One of the most eagerly awaited piping books in many years will be published this spring. I Piped, That She Might Dance is a novel based on the life of Angus MacKay, the man who became the most famous piper of his own lifetime and whose legacy continues to this […]

James McHardy.

My father the bagpiper – part 1

Pipe Major McHardy (1863-1938), a native of Aberdeenshire, was a boy piper to Queen Victoria at Balmoral and at other royal residences. From 1878 to 1881 he was assistant to the Queen’s piper, PM William Ross, 42nd Highlanders (Black Watch) who was in that role from 1854-1891. McHardy was one […]

Queen Victoria’s legacy to piping and pipe bands

Queen Victoria’s legacy to piping and pipe bands

From the April 2001 Piping Times “The pipes must lead.” So stated Queen Victoria to her Army top brass in the 1870s, thus ending an unseemly squabble over whether pipes or drums should form the front or rear ranks in the newly formed musical ensemble known as the pipe band. […]