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’ […]
This never-been-seen-before photo positively demands suggestions for a suitable caption: The individuals having a nap are Strathclyde Police Pipe Band members Pipe Major Ian McLellan, Jim MacLean and John Wilson. Not in the picture is the man behind the camera, who, we are reliably informed, was Jim Wark. Seemingly, the […]
With the 2020 invitational solo piping competition organised by The Glasgow Uist and Barra Association coming up on March 7 at The National Piping Centre Otago Street, we found the following critique from the 1978 competition interesting. Competing that day were many who have become some of our leading judges […]
Bobby Allen and Duncan Winters won their respective heats at the annual Graeme Johnston Memorial juvenile solo piping competition today at The National Piping Centre Otago Street. The win was the third in a row at this competition for Bobby Allen. Results: Afternoon winners (MSR) – 1. Bobby Allen (Shotts […]
It’s been a quite a decade. I took over as Director of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland (NYPBoS) in 2009 shortly after moving to Scotland from Australia. Ten years later, I’m looking forward at marking that decade with an NYPBoS concert on February 8 in Edinburgh at the […]
By Iain Bell Cast your eye toward the above photo of Hazel Whyte, overall champion piper at the South West Scotland Piping & Drumming (SWSPDA) solo contest held on September 28 at Lockerbie. Hazel is pictured with fear an tighe, Andy McCartney and another, well-seasoned gentleman in a pullover. This […]
