Pipers can now study at the National Piping Centre for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Music. The Scottish Qualifications Authority, the Scottish Government body responsible for accrediting educational awards, approved the course recently. The HND is part-funded by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for eligible Scottish students […]
1956-57 By Jeannie Campbell MBE In 1956 the tunes for the Open competition were Nameless (Book 8), The End of the Little Bridge, The Daughter’s Lament, Craigellachie, Lament for the Duke of Hamilton, The Red Speckled Bull, The Stewarts’ White Banner and Lament for The Harp Tree, from which four […]
By Keith Mumby I’d like to communicate a very pleasurable experience I had recently which took me nearer the heart of the spirit of piobaireachd than anything so far to date. I was at the College [of Piping] for a couple of days’ tuition under Duncan Johnstone (my, doesn’t he […]
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 […]
Archie MacNeill (1879-1962), is probably best known as the composer of Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban, The Detroit Highlanders, David Ross of Rosehall and a few other great tunes that have stood the test of time. Archie, though, was an important figure in piping and, in fact, could be regarded […]
By Hugh Cheape No profession of substance and reputation can be without its magazine or journal. This supplies the focus and forum for discussion for an interest group and gives shape and expression to its identity. The Piping Times performed this function with its regular output of news and current […]
By Jeannie Campbell MBE The “Piobaireachd Society of Scotland” gave notice in the autumn of 1903 that it would hold a competition at the 1904 Argyllshire Gathering at which it would award a total of £30 in prizes. The first prize shall be £20 and a Gold Medal, second prize […]
We are saddened to learn of the death of Willie Gilmour, aged 80. Willie had a long association with the College of Piping that included spells as a teacher and as a member of its executive committee. Willie was also a popular piping instructor in the schools of east Ayrshire. […]
By Stuart Letford Duncan Johnstone wasn’t really one for competitions – his 1964 victory in the Scottish Pipers’ Association’s Knockout series was pretty much his only foray into solo piping contests. As he put it himself: “I was never interested in whether I could beat this man or the next. […]
James Haddow McIntosh, a true piping legend, died suddently this morning at home in South Carolina, USA, aged 95. Born in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, one of four siblings. Jimmy’s father had arranged for Jimmy to receive his early piping tuition from Pipe Major Tom Sutherland, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Jimmy […]
