We are saddened to learn of the untimely death of popular northeast Scotland piper, Heather MacKay [pictured]. She was 53 and died in hospital the early hours of Monday morning. At this stage, the cause of her death has not been released. Heather was well known in Scotland’s pipe band […]
Kevin Reilly was appointed chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting yesterday. The meeting was held remotely using videoconference software due to ongoing restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 60 member bands were represented and it took one and a half hours to […]
Updated with video: The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) is encouraging its member bands in Scotland to write to the Scottish Government asking for guidance on the resumption of pipe band practices In a letter to band secretaries today, RSPBA Chairman, John Hughes, writes: “The RSPBA and the pipe […]
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association is one of the cultural organisations in Scotland to to be offered financial support while they remain affected by lockdown restrictions. The Scottish Government announced a £10m funding package yesterday to help the events sector recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Funding streams will […]
By Stuart Letford for Bagpipe.News Prepare for the long haul regarding the Coronavirus, folks. That was the message from a webinar discussion into the future of piping and pipe bands post-Covid-19. Further, there is a chance there may be no pipe band competitions held in 2021. The webinar took place […]
In a hint of light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, a leading bagpipe manufacturer returned to full production yesterday. McCallum Bagpipes, based in Kilmarnock, Scotland, said in a statement: “We are back. In line with Scottish Government advice, we are in full production from today …. It’s been […]
The National Piping Centre is planning its first online seasonal school. The Glasgow-based organisation has held its popular Adult Gatherings for many years and the move online – due to current Covid-19 guidelines – follows on from the success of its online group piping lessons that were launched last month. […]
2020 began on a happy note for some and a terrible one for others. Yesterday, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) announced the completion of the £1million restoration of its headquarters. The building, in Washington Street, in the Anderston part of Glasgow, was engulfed in flames in March of […]
RSPBA Chairman, John Hughes (pictured, right) last night announced that the Grade 1 contest at this year’s World Pipe Band Championships will, as expected, comprise of four performances from each band spread over the Friday and Saturday. 15 bands have entered for the Grade 1 contest this year. Mr Hughes […]
