Features

Dr. Donaldson says about the tune: “Another tune whose modern popularity seems to stem from its being set for the great annual public competitions. It was first published in Angus MacKay’s collection, and its appearance there probably militated against too frequent occurrence in the nineteenth-century manuscripts, since most serious pipers probably had access to MacKay either directly or through transcriptions.”

We received the following plan from Colin MacLellan, a frequent contributor to pipes|drums and a famous competitor, judge and teacher. While the plan is more specific to the Senior solo piping competitions in the UK, it is both noteworthy and applicable to the worldwide piping community.

We introduce an exclusive series of conversations with the musical leaders of the world’s top Grade 1 bands discussing the construction, orchestration, arrangement, and intentions behind their new medleys

About this relatively brief piece, Donaldson writes: “The tonal family to which ‘Salute on the Birth of Rory Mor’ belongs begins with the tune Colin Campbell called ‘Brian O duffs Lament’ (elsewhere known as ‘The Frenzy of Meeting’), and continuing through ‘The Brother’s Lament’; three nameless pieces; then ‘A Glass,’ ‘Aird’s Lament,’ and what Colin Campbell calls ‘Glass Mhoir’ (which is nowadays known as ‘The Finger Lock’), ‘One of the Cragich’ (‘Hiotrotra hinbainbain’) and ‘McNeil is tighearna ann.'”

“A lovely tune in all its versions,” the piece is widely known and a fine choice for pipers, whose teachers recognize its musical and melodic challenges for all levels of piobaireachd players.

While some might dismiss the piece as pure schmalzt, its success in bringing the sound of the pipes to billions of ears is undeniable.

Our StarBox feature has focused on pipers until now, but we thought it made sense to feature the reigning World Solo Drumming Champion as the first drummer to open his drum case and any other items he might carry. Besides, he’s also a superb piper . . .

We continue our exclusive 2026 Set Tunes Series by …

In his latest article in his “Insights into pipe band ensemble” series, Alan Jones investigates the prevalence of the S-w-M-w beat-note emphasis in pipe band MSR music.

What began a quarter-century ago quickly became and remains the greatest free collective piobaireachd resource for pipers worldwide.

When Grade 2 Glasgow Skye Association revealed tha …

The accomplished Canadian scientist, politician, teacher and champion for the Scottish arts passed away January 26, 2026, age 59. We are indebted to the well-known piper, teacher and adjudicator Glenna Mackay-Johnstone for providing this thoughtful and heartfelt tribute to her lifelong friend.

On International Women’s Day 2026, with the help of the world-famous piper Jenny Hazzard, we revisit 1976 through the eyes of Anne Spalding, the first woman to compete at the Argyllshire Gathering, breaking down the wall of discrimination forever.

The shortage of snare drummers and leading-drummers is pretty much a pipe band tradition. But why? Throughout the hundred-year history of competing pipe bands, pipers and drummers have wondered why the perpetual lack exists, but has anyone ever seriously sought answers?

Our discussion with four leaders from the National Piping Centre: Emma Hill, NPC Clubs Producer; Laura-Beth MacCrimmon, Youth & Communities Producer; Finlay MacDonald, Director of Piping; and David Shedden, NYPBoS Producer, continues as the organization reaches its 30-year milestone this year.