Archive
Amid considerable controversy over the fate of Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye, the Donald Macdonald Cuach Solo Piping Competition will return to the venue after six years on May 30th, with Alasdair Henderson, Findlay Johnston, Stuart Liddell and Willie McCallum competing for the prestigious prize. The Clan Donald […]
In 1965, a small group of young pipers and drummers in Nova Scotia formed the Dartmouth Boys Pipe Band. Sixty years later, the Dartmouth & District organization continues its tradition of teaching new pipers and drummers of all ages and fielding competition bands in Grade 2 and Grade 5. To […]
Nearly two months after they were upgraded to Grade 2 by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, the Commonwealth Pipes & Drums of Massachusetts are still awaiting a decision on their appeal to be accepted as a Grade 3A competitor at the 2025 World Pipe Band Championships. The Eastern United […]
No certified Grade 1 bands competing to start new season in Scotland, but Grade 2 bands to the fore in excellent weather
Fettes College in Edinburgh is searching for two new drumming instructors to work with the prestigious private school’s piping and drumming program, with about 120 pupils currently enrolled. The snare and tenor/bass teachers don’t have to be from the UK, and both roles are “self-employed,” with no contracts. After 30 […]
With a first in the light music and a second in the Piobaireachd, Alex Gandy of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, gained the overall trophy at the 2025 Livingstone Memorial Invitational Solo Piping Competition, held as usual at the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada’s armoury in southern Ontario’s industrial city. It was the second time Gandy’s won the competition, which he had previously achieved in 2011.
Ganaan Highland Manufacturing of British Columbia has added the 20 Series Drum of Pads to its growing line of piping and drumming products, which range from pipe chanters to various smaller accessories for pipers and drummers. According to the company, the three new pads for snare drummers are manufactured using “a […]
“When people make a contribution to the world of music, it is important. It may not be my preference, or my personal taste, but it’s still important, and I’ve tried my best to record them as well as I can and have them out there for people to enjoy.”
The lengthy off-season officially ends this weekend for Scottish bands as the outdoor competition circuit returns with events in Banchory and Gourock on Sunday, May 11th. Still, it won’t be until late May or even June before one of Scotland’s six Grade 1 bands appears. Last year, both events attracted […]
Winning the MSR and third in the Piobaireachd gained Andrew Carlisle the overall trophy at the 2025 Pipe-Major Ian Swinton Open Professional Solo Piping Competition near Chicago. Eleven competed in the event.
Because the instrument is inherently unpitched, multi-award-winning pipe band drummer Scott Armit argues that there is no such thing as “flat” snares, and judging snare pitch based on how “cranked” a line is encourages homogeneity over artistry
Winning the MSR and third in the Piobaireachd, Angus J. MacColl (the younger one) was the overall winner of the Premier and A-Grade category at the annual Highlands & Islands Solo Piping Competition. The Junior Under 18 aggregate winner was Peter MacKay on a Piobaireachd preference, and the overall Under 15 winner was Owen McCreadie, also on a Piobaireachd preference.
Only a few weeks ago, pipes|drums published for the first time “Lady Inverclyde,” a gorgeous nearly-lost retreat march from the creative genius John “Jock” McLellan of Dunoon, Scotland. And now, we’re pleased to bring readers “Dunan Hill,” another previously unpublished 3/4 march by the great piper, whose 150th birth-year will […]
In Part 1 of the pipes|drums Interview with Los Angeles native Eric Rigler, he discussed his early years and the factors that led him to want to move to Scotland to study piping and compete at the highest levels. In the second installment of our five-part interview, he talks about what it was like for […]
In 2008, the Grade 1 Spirit of Scotland gathered a group of available all-star pipers and drummers to compete only once at the World Championships. They qualified for the final and finished eleventh overall. In 2025, a group of UK military veterans and active members will get together to do […]
“Lament for Donald Ban MacCrimmon,” “Lament for MacDonald’s Tutor,” “Nameless – Hihorodo Ha Hiento Tra,” “Lament for Red Hector of the Battles,” and
“The Park Piobaireachd #1” — the latest in our ongoing historic and exclusive series.