Date June 19, 2008

Editor's Blog has moved

~Masters of Piobaireachd.~

Well that's volume 10 in the bag. Spent all day yesterday with Norman Matheson going through the tunes and getting them edited down for the next CD. Thanks to our engineer Dave Fisher all went very smoothly and there are some cracking tracks on it. I must say that having been involved with the project from the start I get more from the playing and singing of Bob Nicol then I do from Bob Brown. Nicol seems to be able to focus down onto the phrases and nuances. He doesn't have as good a voice as Bob Brown. Brown knows he can sing and I get the impression he enjoys it so much he can get a bit slow at times and self indulgent. Still great instruction mind - as I've said before, the authentic voice of a genuine tradition passed on orally by masters of the past. You can keep your book learning and musicological pontifications. Listening to the Bobs (and to wee Donald and other masters of the past) is where the true heart of piobaireachd lies, not in the endless chit chat and theorising over this school and that, who played up and who played down, who played a C for a B and why. I feel another Editorial coming on! The CD should be available on Greentrax by the end of the summer. A bit late for those wanting some pointers for their tunes at Oban and Inverness but Norman has been ill. Good to see him back and raring to go. He tells me he is on the bench at Aberdeen this weekend and at many other games over summer.
Big night at the CoP tonight with the start of the West End Festival and a concert from Allan MacDonald. Good luck Allan.
Don't forget to click on to CoP Radio for June from the 15th onwards. Lovely 'In Praise of Morag' from Stuart Liddell.

Date June 6, 2008

~End of Term Comp.~

The End of Term Competition date has been moved to July 2 to accommodate the pipe band championships at Birmingham. A lot of competitors and judges were heading down so I thought it best to hold it back. Remember the contest is open to all College students both based at Otago Street and anywhere else and that means summer schools etc.
By that time too the West End Festival will be out of the way. I hope as many of you as possible will come along and support the events that are on at the College. Allan MacDonald kicks off the piping and we also have a recital from Gordon Walker. Apart from the piping there is ceilidh music galore.
I hope all you PT readers are enjoying the current issue. If you've any ideas as to how we can improve things please let us know. You will see that I have included part of the Roll of Honour in this issue. Remember to let me know if your name does not appear.
The new Lecture Hall is undergoing what we call 'snagging' -- the finishing touches to paint work and the filling in of cracks which occur as the building dries out. Stuart Liddell was in the other week to record some tunes for his new DVD of the West Highland Way and all concerned remarked in the quality of the acoustic so that augurs well for the future. It was nice to see Axel Roemer from Germany studying with us this week. Hope you enjoyed your stay Axel. Always a sign of summer when the overseas students start to arrive.
Forfar Games this weekend.


Date May 30, 2008

~Quietish Weekend~

Busy day today getting the June PT away. Should be with UK subscribers tomorrow or Monday and overseas very soon after that. Online subscribers will have their issues now. We've put the Crossword grids on the PT Extra page so that you guys can participate in the puzzle just like 'normal' subscribers. The grid can be printed off, filled in and submitted via e or snail mail.
Quietish weekend on the piping/pipe band front here but a lot of pipers I've spoken too are heading to Markinch on Sunday. The prizemoney seems very good and I understand, though can't confirm, that Andrew Wright and Walter Drysdale are doing the piobaireachd. The bands have the contest at Bathgate. Home win for Torphichen? They were very good last week at Dumbarton. If L&B Police are out, as they should be, then I'd expect them to do well too on last week's showing. Remember to check the RSPBA.org website for the quickest band results. Not surprised Bathgate has cancelled its solo events. They've never really been serious about it. The prizemoney has been nothing short of insulting, certainly when I played there.
Some of you may have noticed that the Piobaireachd Society website now has a complete online version of Angus MacKay's book available. Tremendous resource this and the PS will be adding to the list of material as time goes on. None of it will of course replace a good teacher and all this source material has to be viewed with a tutored eye. Some of it can be very misleading to the tyro so if that's you proceed with caution and if in doubt contact the CoP.
Details re the Winter School in Bruggen now on site. Registration in September via The Pipers' Corner Shop.


~Scottish Champs~

Just back from the Scottish. Of those I heard in Grade 1 the band I enjoyed most was Lothian and Borders Police. David Barnes has really turned this outfit round. Some very innovative ensemble touches and spot on tempi throughout - and a good sound. They deserved much better than their third or fourth last placing. Judges take a long time to get out of the mould don't they. L&B have had seven or eight dire years and they are not going to start knocking on the door of the top six right away. Keep playing like this and the glory days will not be far off however. Well done to SLOT for winning but I thought the content of their medley could have been better. Hardly a strong melody to be heard - the very opposite of what you expect from this band. May be that the tunes are just too neew to me. Lovely resonance from their drones.
FMM played v well as usual but it was rather uninspiring and I don't know why they put in a competition type strathspey in a medley. There are dozens of cracking two parters to be had. We hear enough of the 'big' MSRs in the MSR contests. Shotts were second and may have been higher placed but for an early chanter and a suspicion over some Ds early on. S Power were competant but need to sort out some of their harmonies which were way off at times. Boghall sounded powerful in the tuning park.
In Grade 2 I was impressed with University of Bedfordshire, Torphichan, Killeen and Ravara and very disappointed in Gordon Walker's Mauchline. No sound and a lack of integration. Quite a gulf between the top bands in this grade and the rest. Before G2 started I had time to take in the much improved Clydebank band in G3a. P/M Craig Munro has whipped them into shape very quickly and they were well worthy of their 2nd prize.
Weather was fine and congrats to West Dunbarton Council for putting on such a well run event. Needs to start earlier however. Last band in G1 went on at 5.30 making for a very long day. Well done too to the RSPBA for getting the summaries up so quickly. Check out the wild disparity in some of the judges' placings!


Date May 23, 2008

~Scottish Champs~

Well here we go for another band season with the first major, the Scottish at Dumbarton. I hope to make it down to the ancient capital of Strathclyde and the weather forecast is pretty good. If I have time I'll pen some thoughts on the performances when I get back to Chez Wallace.
You may have seen the interview Bob Worrall gave me re the new season, in particular the Worlds. Its showing now on CoP TV if not. Bob has been hired again to give his expert thoughts on the various performances at Glasgow Green and when I was over I had the opportunity of putting him on the spot over who was going to lift the big one.
The June PT has gone to bed and I am very pleased with this issue particularly the cover picture...no free previews I'm afraid. Get subscribing for the online edition. It's only £20.
Things are gearing up well at the CoP for the busy summer season and we had a party of 23 Swiss tourists in today for an introduction to pipes visit. They seemed very taken with what we do.
All you solo pipers playing at Inverness need to get your entries in next week remember. MAy 31 is the closing date. We've got the first games of the season at Blair Atholl on Sunday and I hope to have the results for you ASAP.
Not long now till the West End Festival and Donald Black the piping moothie man tell us he's almost sold out. Well done Donald. The week kicks off with Allan MacDonald. Full details on the West End Fest website and in the next PT.


Date 15, 2008

~Ontario & Quebec~

Writing this from Quebec City where we have spent a few days following the Livingstone contest. No piping at all here it seems just wall to wall New France. Very interesting to follow in the steps of General Wolfe and his Highlanders and learn of the battles of the late 1750s which changed the course of world history and as a consequence led to the bagpipe becoming firmly rooted in North America. Stretching a point I suppose to say that that is what all the fighting was for.
Last Saturday's contest went very well and was perfectly organised by the Niagara - Hamilton Branch of the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario, with a very good Fear and Tigh in Ken Eller. I first met Ken back in the 70s (see below) when he was P/M of the great Clan MacFarlane band. Ken recorded all the competition performances for his website www.thecaptainscorner.com (Ken's nickname is 'The Captain') so have a listen and judge for yourself if the bench got it right.
What impressed me about the playing was the preparation the pipers had made. There was not so much as a slip or a wrong note in the piobaireachd and some had put in difficult tunes they'd learnt for Oban and Inverness. The venue, the Officer's Mess at the James Street Armouries in Hamilton, was pretty special. It is not everywhere that you see artefacts and pictures taken from Hitler's Chancellory by the Argylls of Canada at the end of WW2. The main room itself had just the right 'ring' for a piping contest and this and the atmospheric surroundings may have helped the pipers and led to the high standard of performance.
Being over here I was able to catch up with my old Muirhead and Sons cronies Eddie Gorman and Mike MacDonald. Hard to believe it is 37 years since the band first came out to the Canadian National Exhibition along with most of the other top Grade 1 bands of the day. I suppose it would be fair to say that these trips were the beginning of the truly international pipe band scene that we have today. From then on air fares just got cheaper and the whole thing really took off.


May 9, 2008

~Ontario~

Arriving at at Glasgow Airport for the trip to Toronto we bumped into piper Simon McKerrall who told us he almost missed the flight. He was convinced it left on Friday not Thursday. A fortuitous glance at his ticket, two taxis and some hurried packing and here he was. Simon said he had accepted his friend James McHattie's suggestion that he come over to play in the William Livingstone Senior competition and here he was. At Toronto Simon headed off in a taxi and we were met by Bob Worrall and taken to his palatial home in Burlington. The house is full of high quality with a particularly fine line in piping orientated art work. Should be some good material for the PT. It's not often that you leave Glasgow and end up somewhere cooler. Toronto is, and I'd say the trees etc were about two weeks behind us in budding. Still a chance of frost.
Bob tells me he is just back from another trip to South Africa where he was guest of the local pipe band association, bringing back some impressive native African art work. Bob suggested to them that they tie more solo piping into the band scene, with proper grading, as they do in North America. I would agree with that. SA is so vast that the only way pipers can afford to get to a games is if they are in a band that can help with the cost.
Bob will be on BBC duty at the Worlds again in August so let's hope the producers give us more of his informed opinions and more music than the sideshows we got last year. As I've said many times, the show is for pipers and pipe bands and to heck with the ratings. If it's good the general public will tune in anyway.
The Livingstone contest is tomorrow and there are eight players - the best of local (and international if you include Simon) talent. They have to submit four tunes each and after the ceol mor do an MSR. The contest was established by Wm. Livingstone Snr. and in its first years he provided the prizemoney. Since his passing the Hamilton branch of the PPBS0 have taken over the running. Should be good.


Date: May 2, 2008

~Highlands and Islands~

Pretty good day here today so weather should be OK for the drive to Oban tonight for the Highlands and Islands Festival where I am on judging duty with Neil Mulvie, Iain MacFadyen, John Wilson, Anne Johnstone, Robert Stewart and others. Always a good early season contest, the H&I has been going for what must be more than 25 years now. This year sees the first graded competition which will allow all professional pipers to have a fairer go. Previously the piobaireachd event was restricted to invitees on the Friday night. The MSR and HJ on the Saturday weren't graded so the lesser experienced players were really up against it. There is also a full raft of contests for the young player. Argyllshire piping is booming at the moment thanks to the efforts, among others, of Stuart Liddell, Angus MacColl, Ian McKerrall and the Kintyre Piping Society, so the standard among the juniors should be sky high.

We had quite a week at the CoP one highlight of which was a spectacular afternoon lightning storm on Tuesday. The whole building shook at one point such was the force of one blast. Fortunately no damage done other than to the nerves. The last time I experienced such freaky weather was on holiday in Florida - possibly the electric storm capital of the world.

I'll be doing the CoP Radio show a little earlier than usual this month as it is off to Toronto next Thursday for the William Livingstone Memorial Competition. The show will feature the concert given by the young stars of the North Lanarkshire Schools band, Ross Cowan their Pipe Major, and Finlay Johnstone. I'll also be playing a tune from the College Lecture as our 'Piobaireachd of the Month'. Getting a spin too will be the tribute CD for Gordon Duncan which arrived from Greentrax on Monday. Hope you can all listen in and let me have any comments/suggestions. Next blog will be from the other side of the pond.


Date: 25 April, 2008

~Concerts @ the College~
Tonight sees our first formal piping (and drumming) recital at the CoP with Ross Cowan, Finlay Johnston and Ross's kids from the North Larkshire Schools PB. We'll also have ace drummers Steven Nelson (Shotts) and Grant Cassidy (World Jnr. Champ.) keeping the percussionists happy. Come along if you can manage and cheer on these young pipers and drummers. I hope this will be first of many such concerts. We have already supported many bands and juvenile competitions and it would nice to put on something featuring such bands as George Watson's, Kintyre Schools, Dumbarton Juveniles and Inveraray. If any reader is involved with these or any other young band and would like to put on a show please give us a call.

The Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board met yesterday and reported a growing interest in the exams. More than 300 pipers and drummers have sat exams since the turn of the year which is quite something. The list of examiners is growing all the time so there will soon be qualified men and women in most areas of the pipe band world.

The launch of Glasgow's West End Festival is this evening and we'll be there. The Lecture Hall has a full list of events lined up and details will be announced shortly.

May PT has gone to bed; more sparkling brain stimulation and well argued polemic I hope. Thanks for all the correspondence. Keep the letters coming to thepipingtimes@gmail.com.

The next and final 'Masters of Piobairechd' CD (Vol.10) has been held up I'm afraid. My fellow editor Norman Matheson has been ill. Get well soon Norman.

Details of the End of Term contest are now posted. Please note the 'Adult Amateur' grade should read 'Adult Novice'. A novice is someone who is at Level 3 or below. See the link on the home page


Date: 18 April, 2008

~ Here Comes Summer~
Well it is only April and still very chilly here in Glasgow but the summer is already shaping up well. Just today we heard that Shotts are to do the pre-Worlds concert in the city's concert hall. 'Caledonia' will be their biggest show yet I'm told, so make sure you get your tickets early for this extravaganza. Wallace Bagpipes tell me they're putting on the 'Pipes on the Clyde' night again on the Monday of Worlds Week. The Renfrew Ferry is again the venue and the firm's Craig Munro has some headlinents acts organised already. Closer to home we will have a full week of events in the new Lecture Hall at the College. Before that there is the West End Festival. It starts in June and Allan MacDonald kicks that off for us. Great to have you on board Allan.
The SPA held their Amateur and Veterans contest last Saturday at the CoP and it seemed to go off very well with judges Ann Johnstone and Angus J impressed with the standard in the piobaireachd. Ann's son Finlay will be one of the star turns at our 'Young Pipers' concert next Friday. Also featuring is Ross Cowan (still young!?) and the North Lanarkshire Schools PB with star drummers accompanying. Tickets are £5 and £4 and I hope as many of you as possible will come along to support the youngsters. Just a reminder before I go: evening and Saturday morning classes start next week. Usual prices £50 and £40 for ten weeks.


Date: 11 April, 2008

~ West Highland Way etc~

I hope you have all been following the progress of our intrepid trekkers braving the wilds of the southern Highlands on the West Highland Way. As I write this I am expecting another despatch from Willie Park the expedition leader. It seems to have been great fun despite the gruelling mileage that had to be covered on foot. All in a good cause of course with funds going to Stuart Liddell's Inveraray PB. He's been manfully supported by his SFU colleague Steve McWhirter and Ally Fletcher and each evening during the week Willie tells me the playing at the ceilidh has been outstanding. The 20-strong gang is expected to arrive in Fort William today and it is hoped sponsors Wallace Bagpipes will be there to meet them as they emerge from Glen Nevis. A DVD is being made of the trek and Willie assures me there are some spectacular scenes and marvellous scenery - and of course top flight piping and drumming.
The PT came out on time which was a miracle given that I had to do the final editing whilst up at Carbisdale where there was no suitable internet connection and proofs had to be sucked into the laptop via a very weak mobile phone signal. Still, the wonders of modern technology prevailed and we got there in the end. This issue of the magazine is significant in that it is the first that is available digitally. Growing numbers of subscribers are opting for this version of the world's favourite piping magazine. They receive a genuine magazine of course - not a website rehash - so the integrity and balanced content is maintained. The only difference is online subscribers read it on screen rather than in their armchair. Our advertisers are delighted with this development as each web and email address in their ads. is 'live' and the online subscriber can access their web catalogues or contact them with the click of the mouse.
Off shortly to record a new CoP Radio Show. Should be on air from 15th of the month. Keep the emails, requests and comments coming.


Date: 4 April, 2008

~ Culloden and Gaelic tutor~
Anyone with even a passing interest in Scottish history should make sure they take in the new visitor centre on the Culloden battlefield. I was up there on Weds with Willie from the College for the launch of the new Gaelic tutor book. As you enter the building there is immediate piping interest with the display of a set of two drone pipes reputedly played on the battlefield. More on this in the PT. The rest of the centre has state of the art audio and video facilities which give the visitor a real sense of 'being there'. Quite outstanding.
The tutor launch went well with the Inverness Courier, the P&J and the BBC all in attendance for pix and interviews. Thanks to PR man Martin Osler for setting everything up and to Paul Turner for bringing along Alasdair and Fraser to do the honours on the pipes. It great to meet up with Kenneth Murray, Chief Exec. of Bord na Gaidhlig who financed the publishing project, and also ex-QOH piper DJ MacIntyre who now runs a Gaelic learning service in Inverness. There was great interest in the book and the Gaels were very impressed with the quality of the translation by Morag and Finlay MacNeill. You can also read a good review by the irrepessable Norman MacLean in the latest PT.
Whilst on the subject of the world's greatest piping magazine, I trust everything went well with our new digital subscribers and that you all got your April magazine as promised. Checks at this end show that everything went v smoothly. The on-screen quality was everything we had been promised and expected. I think this will be a growth area for the magazine particularly among our overseas readers. Any comment from online subscribers would be most welcome.
The CoP Shop has had an extremely busy time of it lately with large orders from our overseas dealers (these have all been despatched within 24 hours) and a lot of business from pipers around the world, both new and repeat customers. Thanks to you all. Willie, Gary and the team will continue to provide the best service possible.
I'm off to snowy Aberdeen for a gig at Tornaveen tonight but for those in and around Glasgow remember the bellows boys and girls are having their annual contest at the CoP tomorrow.


Date: 30 March. 2008

~ Big Ronnie and Carbisdale~
We were half way through the week when word came through via the mobile that Ronnie Lawrie had died. We were all very sad at the news, none more so than ex-Strathclyde policeman Barry Donaldson, who, because of commitments at the school, would miss the funeral. That evening, as a chill wind blew through the castle corridors, Niall Stewart played the 'Lament for Captain MacDougall' as a tribute to Ronnie. Niall told the rapt audience that he had played for him many times and that whenever he submitted that tune Ronnie always picked it. Perhaps not surprising given its Argyllshire connections. Niall's pipe just sang, and the added poignancy of the occasion was lost on no-one. When he finished there was that gap before the applause that denotes an audience's emotional attachment to what they have just heard. Ronnie would have loved it.
That same evening my talk was, appropriately enough, on Willie Lawrie and I was able to let the students hear recordings of some of this master composer's pieces.
For those who are unaware, Carbisdale Castle stands on the Kyle of Sutherland only a mile or so from Inveran, where Angus MacPherson kept the hotel, where GS had to be rescued from the river and where John MacDonald (Inverness) often played on the grassy banks
. So the school has quite a bit of piping heritage to live up to. I think we did pretty well with 45 plus passes in the PDQB exams and overall, if I say so myself, a high level of instruction.
Our administrator, Paul Turner, did a marvellous job of organising things and we were honoured by the presence of Lord Thurso and other local dignitaries for the closing concert. I should also mention Niall Mathieson who is doing a terrific job teaching the kids in Ross and Cromarty. They have some outstanding young talent up there, Craig Mackenzie (a pupil of Louise Hay) and Duncan MacGillivray's boys Michael and Andrew to name but three. Niall works tirelessly spreading the piping word in that part of the country.
We are very grateful to Wallace Bagpipes (no relation!) for their sponsorship. The school was featured on Scottish Television north region news and I'm told clips can be accessed on their website for another few days - Wallace Bagpipes banner to the fore and rightly so. I want to thank Brian Yates and Andrew MacLellan too for their great support work. So much done behind the scenes to keep things moving. All things being equal we will be back at Carbisdale next year. Meanwhile I am returning north again on Wednesday for the official launch of the Gaelic edition Tutor 1. It is being held in the new Culloden Visitor Centre. A lot of mileage I know but the Highland air is so invigorating and the late winter snow on the tops makes everything a picture. Blank out the pylons, the sitka spriuce and those dreadful windmill things and there is no finer scenery in the world
.


21 March. 2008

~ Carbisdale.~
Snow is forecast in the far north for the Carbisdale school but I am sure that won't dampen the enthusiasm of the 70 plus students. I had a look at the Castle on the internet and it seems ideal for a piping school. The format will be the same as the successful set up we have at the Winter School in Germany. Registrar Paul Turner has done a fantastic job in getting everything organised. We will have Lord Thurso at the closing concert to present the PDQB certificates and also to hand out the set of pipes and chanters to the most promising students. Many thanks to Wallace Bagpipes for their support and sponsorship. We have a v good team of instructors in Stuart Samson, Jim Clark, Niall Matheson, Niall Stewart, Robert Watt, Stuart Casells and Barry Donaldson.
Back home it has been a busy week at the CoP with Andrew Wright, Barry Donaldson and Jim Semple all in teaching. We have a good enrollment for the Easter School in Glasgow too. Joe Wilson will be back refreshed from holiday to run that.
Looking back I have to say that the CoP Lecture went well and there was outstanding piobaireachd from Iain Speirs and Stuart Liddell. Both are playing at the top of their game right now. There was excellent piping from Stuart Samson and Duncan Watson at the Piob Soc conference too. Duncan gave us a couple of tunes in the D MacDonald setting and showed just how pleasant they can be when handled by an expert.

Keep checking the Carbisdale blog for all the news and pix from the snowy north.


13 March. 2008

~ CoP Lecture and Piob Soc Conf.~
Everything is all set for the Lecture at Fisher's Hotel, Pitlochry, tomorrow night so I'm looking forward to a good evening. I know Iain Speirs and Stuart Liddell are in good form so the piping will be of the very highest order. They have each selected two of the classic tunes to play so if you want to hear some first rate ceol mor I'd try to get along to the Fisher's. Remember too that the Piob. Soc. conference is open to everyone so whay not drop in for a day visit. You will not be disappointed. V busy here at the CoP this week as you can imagine and absolutely no work done yet on the April PT. Have you checked out the preview of the new online edition yet? Click on the link on the PT Fast News page. Should be a boon for overseas readers. Much cheaper and no mail worries. New CoP Radio show from Sunday.


Date: 7 March. 2008

~ The Lecture Hall~
The official opening of the above went off like clockwork. It was great to see so many leading lights from the piping world: Andrew Wright from the Piob Soc, Alistair Aitken from the RSPBA, Roddy MacLeod from the Piping Centre and Liz Maxwell from Glenfiddich and her husband Derek. Donald MacKay and the boys from Strathcluyde Police played beautifully as did Seylinn and Cheyenne on harp and cello. The draw for the Grand Raffle can be seen on CoP TV.
There'll be more on the Official Opening in the PT.
A few days later the Bretons led by Loic Denis arrived and gave us a very fine concert of their music suitably illustrated with big screen photographs. The audience was pretty small unfortunately but I am sure as the venue gets better know the crowds will improve. There were a number of well known figures in the audience however and I enjoyed welcoming Allan MacDonald, Les Sang, Tom Johnstone, Maggie MacInnes and Barry Donaldson to name a few. All were impressed with the acoustics of the new hall so that augurs well for the future. Good to catch up with Allan in particular. we go back a long way and I've always admired him as a musician (apart from his tangential piobaireachd theories). Its 31 years since we first met at a session in the Park Bar in Glasgow. I hope he can do a gig for us in the new hall.
Off to the RSPBA AGM tomorrow and then it will be preparation time for a new CoP Radio show and the College Lecture and the Piob. Soc. Conf. up in Pitlochry. I usually send out gratis invites to the Lecture to all those advertisers who loyally support the PTover the year. Have been a bit behind this year due to pressure of work but invites should be arriving in the post on Monday and I hope to see as many of you as can manage in the Fisher's Hotel on Friday evening.


Date: 27 Feb. 2008

~ Getting Read for Opening~
Anyone following the press will know that it has been a pretty turbulent time for Mr Speaker Michael Martin. Well despite the goings on Michael, as we expected, is true to his word and will be at the CoP on Friday at 2pm to perform the opening ceremony for the new Lecture Hall. I want to say that we are very grateful to him for honouring his committment in this way. It should be welcome break away from the pressures of Westminster. All other arrangements are in place so I look forward to welcoming everyone. The hall itself is looking well and we were very pleased with the crowd that attended the Cello and Harp Festival last weekend. The musicians remarked on the very clear acoustic.
John Wilson, Barry Donaldson and Jim Semple, all ex-Strathclyde Police PB, have been in this week helping out with the teaching so we're delighted to be able to draw on these gentlemen's expertise. The March PT will be sent out tomorrow so UK subscribers should have it on Saturday. Next week (March 5) we have a concert of Breton Music at the CoP. Tickets are £5 and £4. It promises to be a good night.


Date: 18 Feb. 2008

~ Back from Germany~
Back yesterday from a great week at Breuggen at the 2nd CoP Winter School. I think the 70 piping and seven drumming students had a good week too judging by the Student Comment Sheets I received. Dave Johnston and his wife Heike did their usual brilliant job in organising things soeverything went without a hitch. The closing concert was a sell out with Robert Watt and Craig Munro of Wallace Bagpipes wowing the crowd with their spectacular fingerwork. We were again honoured by the attendanceof Gen Melvin from the Army and he helped present the PDQ certificates. My personal thanks go to the instructors Dave Johnston, Stuart Samson, Jim Clarke, Dean Hall, Joe Wilson, Barry Donaldson, Robert Watt and Willie Park. I want to acknowledge too the contribution of Eva at the Youth Hostel and also to the irrepressible 'Guinness'- just the sort of sergeant major character every school needs. I believe the school is already bearing fruit with improving standards all round - six level fours this year and a few ofthem well capable of going on to Level 5 and 6. Drumming and drum major instruction added a new dimension and we will continue this in the future. Congratulations to Dean Hall who now becomes a PDQB drumming examiner in Germany and to Markus Hug who passed his Tutor's Certificate and now becomes the PDQB's only registered tutor in Switzerland.


Date: 8 Feb. 2008

~ Germany Bound ~

So it's off to Germany on Sunday for the second annual CoP Winter School. We have 70 pipers and seven drummers to teach, so all the instructors will be kept hard at it. When we get back the main thing (aside from getting the March PT ready) will be preparing for the opening of the new lecture hall on Feb 29. As a venue it is shaping up quite well.

We've the clarsach and cello festival on Feb 24 then the concert of Breton Music on March 5. We'll be doing a concert of some of the young up-and-coming students probably sometime in March. The idea came from the kids themselves so good on them for that. Playing in front of an audience is nerve-wracking of course especially if you are not used to it. But most of these students are aspiring for the very top of the piping game so the more public practice they get the better. Years ago in Glasgow it was common to see the professional pipers play each Saturday night at the SPA get togethers. Much of the time they were trying to get in shape for the big contests. There is no substitute for eyeballing your audience. We might also have some concerts connected to the West End Festival held each spring/early summer right on our doorstep. Please come along to any or all of these events if you can. New CoP Radio show from Sunday. I've done an interview with Barry Donaldson re the parlous state of Scottish pipe bands. He has some interesting things to say.


Date: 14 Dec. 2007

~ Walter and Raffle ~
As I write Walter Cowan is out of intensive care and in a high dependency ward after his heart by pass operation. He had a mild setback last night when he had to be taken back into surgery but now appears to be on the mend. His nephew Ross was in the CoP today telling me about his new job as piping instructor for North Lanarkshire schools. Ross hopes to have a tune at the SPA tomorrow and I recorded him for the new CoP Radio show which goes out on Sunday. The Speaker Michael Martin was in the CoP today too for a lesson with Joe Wilson. Michael has been a generous and loyal supporter of the College for many years and took lessons from P/M Angus MacDonald here many years ago. I don't think Angus or any of the crew back then (only 10 or 12 years ago) would recognise the place now. I am sure they would approve of all the development. And by the way, thanks to all of  those who have returned their raffle tickets along with the £5 fee. As well as the five sets of pipes (top of the range stuff) for prizes we have pledges of prizes from Mr Antony - the cape man - who is giving us a deluxe cape and a band cape, and also from Alastair MacDonald who makes the bag covers. Speaker Martin has also given us a bottle of specially branded 'Speaker's Malt Whisky'. The chance of winning something are growing all the time.


Date: 7 Dec. 2007

~ Hit Records ~
The response to the Lecture Hall raffle has been excellent so thanks to all of those who have contributed so far. To reiterate, the draw for five sets of pipes plus many other prizes will be made at the opening of the new hall sometime in late Jan or early Feb. Building work is almost complete now and just some finishing touches remain to be done. We've had many enquiries from people waning to hire the hall including a guitar class and a clarsach society. We welcome everyone but priority will always be given to individuals and organisation putting on piping. That must alway be our bottom line. That said we need to maximise income from the hall. Thanks to all those who have been doing their Xmas shopping at the CoP Shop. Business has been very good - due in part, no doubt, to the 12% sale that's on at the moment - but also to the superb service that Willie and Gary and the rest of the team give to the piping world. If an item is in stock it is invariably shipped out the same day. What did you think of the Dec PT? Remember if you've any comments to email them to me at the new address thepipingtimes@gmail.com. Look out for the new Piob Soc website which should be hoisted this weekend.


Date: 30 Nov. 2007

~ Hit Records ~
Well it seems that the power of CoP Radio knows no bounds. No sooner do I lead off this month's show with a track from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards latest CD than I read in the morning paper
that it is selling so fast that it is odds-on to become the UK's Christmas No1 hit record. 'Spirit of the Glen' has entered the top 20 in the midweek album chart, outselling a singer called Celine Dion and something called 'Sugababes'. In addition to the CoP Radio plug the RSDG will have had a little help from Universal Music with whom they signed a £1m deal last month. Proceeds from the album, which has such catchy numbers at 'Highland Cathedral' and 'Sailing' on it, will go to service charities. Well done all round to the RSDG and to P/M Potter. By the way I'm told that the soloist on some of the tracks is young Liam O'Flaherty from South Africa. Good on you Liam and good to see you've given up leaping over campfires! The PT was mailed out today so it should be with UK subscribers tomorrow and overseas early next week. In with each copy is a book of raffle tickets to help with the funding of the new Lecture Hall (see the update on CoP TV). Price is £1 per ticket or £5 the book, or local currency equivalents. Anyone who requires extra books or who didn't get one with their PT can email us on thepipingtimes@gmail.com.


Date: 23 Nov. 2007

~ Old Chanters ~
Well I hope you are all ready to take advantage of the 12% off Xmas Sale at the CoP Shop. Substantial savings are to be had if you are buying anything over the price of a ball of hemp. Stewart in accounts is now back home from hospital after suffering what we can now confirm was a heart atttack. He woke up with all the usual symptoms and promptly made his way to hospital where he was given immediate treatment. He should be off for around four weeks but the other office staff are keeping everything on an even keel. The CoP will be overrun tomorrow (Nov 24) when Gordon Hamill and the RSPBA Glasgow and West of Scotland branch hold their annual Juvenile contest. 56 kids and their parents and supporters. Upstairs is a bit of a mess with all the building work but I don't think people will be too inconveniencedand and its great to see such a healthy entry. Nice to have a visit from Andrew Frater of the RSPS today. Andrew brought in a reed he'd made specially for an old ebony Duncan MacDougall of Aberfeldy chanter Jeannie has in the Museum. Lovely sound. On the tuner the chanter was about half way between concert A and Bb. The C was better when played open and the piobaireachd high G a tad sharp but make no mistake this was a quality instrument from a master craftsman. The reed wasn't bad either! I bought a half set of MacDougalls from Archie Osborne, Crieff, in the early 70s (I still use the chanter today in my lowland pipes) and it was pitched identically. Andrew tells me that Patrick Molard in Brittany is now playing an old Alexander Glen chanter and is enjoying the experience immensely. There has to be something in these old chanters and the pitch they were set at. They have an immediate affinity with piobaireachd....so long as you have a good reedmaker to hand.


Date: 16 Nov. 2007

~ Multimedia World ~
You never stop in this multimedia world. Get a load of the new CoPTV show. There's yours truly taking you on a guided tour of the new Lecture Hall. We're using YouTube now for CoP TV which is very convenient for us now and saves a lot of space on the CoP server. The upshot is that we hope to be able to update the TV slot a lot more frequently. I hope you like the Lecture Hall building. I think it will be a great boon for piping and the College and as I said on CoP Radio it is scheduled for completion on December 14. If any readers are around Glasgow then please call in and see us and the new hall. On the subject of the radio show I hope listeners were not too inconvenencied by the delay. Some technical glitches got in the way of the broadcast schedule. We will keep this show (Nov) going until the middle of Dec and broadcast a new one from then. If you have any good quality recordings you'd like aired please pass them on. Sherpa Willie Park called into the CoP yesterday hotfoot from Katmandhu, red as a berry and full of stories. He'll be giving me the best bits for the PT. Anecdotes aside however we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that he has raised £7 grand for the CoP kitty. No mean achievement. Those who deal with Stewart in CoP accounts will want to know that he has been taken ill and is now recovering from what we are told is a mild stroke. Stewart hopes to be back within a week or so and we wish him well.


Date: 09 Nov. 2007

~ Glenfiddich at London ~
The London Championship this year was held in the Kensington Conference Centre an excellent venue. The London society is extremely grateful to Wm Grant and Sons for their sponsorship which enables them to hold the competition in such prestigious surroundings. In his programme note SPSL President Angus Nicol wrote: “We are indebted to our generous sponsors, in particular William Grant & Sons Ltd, distillers of the renowned Glenfiddich single malt and the Fleming Trust, and also many others who have made this occasion possible by donations of money and effort.” A trawl round the judges yielded the general opinion that the playing was well up to standard, even in the main hall where the air conditioning system, like Aviemore, was intrusive. However when it came to actually tuning the pipe it didn’t seem to interfere. Great to chat to Liz and Derek Mazwell and all the London cronies including Martin and Les Cowell, and thanks to Janey and John MacLay for their hospitality. Thirty one years since I first started going down to London and it is always an enjoyable experience even when the fingers and  pipes don't live up to expectation. Prices in London are making the trip ever more expensive for pipers however. Start saving now if you plan to enter in 2008. On the Sunday morning after the contest I checked the mobile and there was a message from Willie Park from the heart of the Himalaya. Isn't technology amazing? What is equally amazing is that Sherpa Park has completed his sponsored trek and aims to be back with us v soon. Great stuff Willie.


Date: 26 Oct. 2007

~ London ~
Back from Glenfiddich where a great time was had by all; congrats to wee Gordon on his success and also to Willie McCallum and Roddy MacLeod for pushing him all the way. The playing in the piobaireachd was not great with only five tunes really in contention for prizes so the judges had the task of sorting them 1-5. I didn't hear Roddy but by all accounts his was a fine DDMcK on that excellent instrument of his. I did hear Iain Speirs and he made a smashing job of the big Nameless on a lovely pipe. I heard Jack Lee on the screens outside the main hall via the video link and his Craigellachie came across very well; great idea these links this but no substitute for being in the hall - it does sound different. I think the judges got the MSR result just about right though I would have had Angus MacColl higher up on the strength of the musicality of his march playing alone, but there we are. As ever the after contest ceilidh was a hoot and seeing all the competitors
coming togther to play as one after a day of fierce adversity brought a lump to the throat. Gordon Walker delighted everyone with his champion's selcetion and I'm trying to get a copy of it for CoP TV. Off to London tomorrow for a blaw and a listen. No word from Willie Park........


Date: 26 Oct. 2007

~ Glenfiddich and Willie ~
Good to hear from Willie Park at the start of the week and if you're reading this somewhere in wildest Nepal Willie please send us more info to keep your many fans up to speed on your progress. Glenfiddich Championship tomorrow and I'll try to get the results on to the website ASAP after they are announced. A few years since I've been up at Blair. Looking forward to some good playing and a day hopefully not spoiled by too long tuning time. Nov PT is away to bed and will be mailed out next Weds. Hope to do a new CoP Radio next week as well and then it is off to London. Will be interesting to see how things pan out with the new venue in Kensington. Sorry to hear of Ian Kennedy's passing. Ian was the flank drummer in Ian MacLellan's superb Strathclyde Police band of the 80s and was probably playing on the excerpt I played of the band on CoP Radio this month. Ian was also a member of the Music Board of the RSPBA and was involved in the formulation of the new drumming exams for  the PDQB. We had a meeting yesterday and a minute silence in Ian's memory was observed before proceedings began.


Date: 12 Oct. 2007

~ Everest ahoy ~
This blog may of necessity be rather short as I have been too busy doing very little and still have very little to do today...there just doesn't seem to be enough time to spend doing nothing..... -Sorry to hear about Irene Noble's passing while I've been away. Our condolences to Joe at this time. Irene would have been well known to many in the pipe band world through her partnership with Joe in the Band Room. Together they built the business into one of the most successful Highland supplies companies in the world. -I have tried to get a hold of Sherpa Willie Park on the mobile but no success so far...no news is good news I suppose. -On the phone to Gary at the CoP Shop yesterday and he tells me everything is running smoothly in my absence and there is really no need for me to return! Drummer Colin Scott has been in helping in Willie's absence and all orders are being sent out ASAP. The PT has been proofed heres on the Costa del Sol and will be out on time next month. Full report on Northern Meeting one of the features. -The Lecture Hall is now connected to the main CoP building, the workman having broken through this week. Place is a bit of a mess I'm told - but not for long. -I understand there are a few CD School tunes waiting to go out and I'll attend to these as soon as I get back.


Date: 12 Oct. 2007

~ Message from Spain ~
This blog may of necessity be rather short as I have been too busy doing very little and still have very little to do today...there just doesn't seem to be enough time to spend doing nothing..... -Sorry to hear about Irene Noble's passing while I've been away. Our condolences to Joe at this time. Irene would have been well known to many in the pipe band world through her partnership with Joe in the Band Room. Together they built the business into one of the most successful Highland supplies companies in the world. I have tried to get a hold of Sherpa Willie Park on the mobile but no success so far...no news is good news I suppose.
-On the phone to Gary at the CoP Shop yesterday and he tells me everything is running smoothly in my absence and there is really no need for me to return! Drummer Colin Scott has been in helping in Willie's absence and all orders are being sent out ASAP. The PT has been proofed heres on the Costa del Sol and will be out on time next month. Full report on Northern Meeting one of the features. -The Lecture Hall is now connected to the main CoP building, the workman having broken through this week. Place is a bit of a mess I'm told - but not for long. -I understand there are a few CD School tunes waiting to go out and I'll attend to these as soon as I get back.  Well Willie Park had a really good send off at the CoP this afternoon with a happy gathering of friends and supporters. It was great to see smallpiper and singer Annie Grace, Ronnie and Tommy from Pipe Dreams, Scott and Alastair from RG Hardie, Andrea Boyd, Donald MacFarlane and many others. I gave a short introduction and then Willie took the floor to explain the vicissitudes of high altitude trekking. Believe me what he is undertaking is no easy task. Success depends on how the body adapts physiologocally to the thin air (a bit like blowing in a vintage McAllister). I've asked Willie to keep me posted with text and pix so if possible I'll place them on the website so we can all see how he is getting on during the course of the next four weeks. Haste ye back! Look out for Jeannie and Dugald in Fort William next week where they'll be giving a talk and presenting an exhibition on John MacColl. Angus MacColl will be doing the musical illustrations. I'm off to southern Spain for a week but the laptop and mobile will never be far away so keep the messages coming.


Date: 05 Oct. 2007

~ Golden October ~
Well that Indian Summer we were all talking about has finally arrived and Glasgow and the west are currently basking in balmy weather more typical of a day in high summer. Despite my forebodings in my last blog the PT wasn't too late and we were fortunate to get it away before the current round of postal strikes. Like most businesses the College Shop will be affected by the strike action so please bear with us if your parcel or package is late. It is almost certainly because of the industrial action and not through any lassitude on our part. The Autumn Schools begin on Monday for two weeks and both are pretty much full. There may be slight disruption due to the Lecture Hall building work but this will be kept to a minimum. Re the new Hall we are having a small party at the CoP next Friday for Willie Park and everyone is welcome. Some refreshments will be laid on and we'll be able to hear first hand how Willie expects to defy age and gravity on his trek to Everest Base Camp. He has been urged to leave a good phototgraph for the Piping Times should he not make it back and there have been innumerable queuries about who's to get his pipes! Seriously, we are right behind Willie in his effort to raise some funds for the Hall and can't thank him enough for the legths he prepared to go to. If you'd like to join us for the send off then please come along to the CoP at 3pm on Oct 12. New CoP Radio show from Sunday when I'll feature Iain Speirs' medal winning performance of 'Lady Margaret MacDonald's Salute' recorded live at Aviemore and also have a look at the new Worlds
CDs with some trenchant comments on the MSRs.


Date: 29 Sep. 2007

~ Looking Ahead ~
PT will be a day late going out I'm afraid. This often happens when D-Day (distribution day) falls on a weekend and especially when there are only 30 days or less in the month. Staff have the
additional problem of putting out the Pipe Band Magazine too. UK subscribers to the PT should have it by Tuesday and look out for a new CoP Radio from next Sunday. Plans for the College @ Carbisdale School are forging ahead and I'm delighted that Stuart Samson and Jim Clark, currently of the Army School, will be able to join us. Particularly pleased that Jim will be with us providing a great opportunity for drummers to get expert tuition and also sit their PDQB exams, not something that happens very often up north. Stuart and Jim will also be joining us for the Wiunter School in Bruggen and registrar Dave Johnson says he expects more than 90 students in both piping and drumming. The new Lecture Hall building is currently running two weeks behind schedule but we have been assured all will be ready for a December opening. It really is beginning to take shape. The Hall will be available for hire for concerts, competitions, recitals and any other sort of function but we will make sure piping is always the priority. But we do need to maximise revenue to help pay for it. Anyone interested in hiring the hall should email college@college-of-piping.co.uk. Bookings are available from Jan 10, 2008.


Date: 21 Sep. 2007

~ Into Autumn ~
Back from Dublin and the All Ireland. Now Ireland may have made great progress in the recocognition of the high piping art that is ceol mor but sticking a judge in a portakabin classroom with no audience and only children's nursery rhymes in Gaelic to keep him in good spirits (apart from the odd good tune) is not the sort of respect the great music nor its judges are used to. In short the promoters of this event have a lot to learn. Someone may have told them that pioabireachd was worthy of esteem but they, as yet, don't quite believe it. No matter, time will tell if things are going to move forward. Congratulations to all the winners. The October PT is at the proofing stage and I am pleased to report that sales are at their highest for quite some time. We are always being told that the internet is going to take over publishing but that doesn't seem to be borne out by the facts, especially where specialist magazines are concerned. I believe there will always be room for organs such as the Piping Times - provided they are good enough. And there's the rub. People think it is easy but just look at the magazines which have gone to the wall in the past few years and you will see what I mean and none of them was monthly. It is a holiday weekend in Glasgow and then we are into October. Jeannie Campbell and Dugald MacNeill will be in Lochaber for a lecture during Mod in Fort William and at the end of the month we have Glenfiddich.


Date: 14 Sep. 2007

~ Dublin ~
It's off to Dublin tonight for the All Ireland Solos and I am looking forward to some good piping and 'craic' with fellow judges Harry McNulty and Alistair Aitken. Twenty four entries in the piobaireachd. I can remember a time - not too many years ago - when the mention of ceol mor to an Irishman would have garnered the same sort of reaction as telling him that we Scots invented stout beer (whisper it - we did). Results on the CoP home page ASAP. Good to see that the SPA is going ahead with its annual professional competition. It's one of our oldest  contests. It is usually held in the spring but various circumstances conspired against that this year. So it's Dec 15 at Glasgow Academy. Before that the SPA host their annual Juvenile contest at the CoP (more suitable next year when the Lecture Hall is completed). Whilst on that subject, I had a good look round the new building this week and estimate the builders are two weeks behind, but we've been told things will pick up from here on in - now where have I heard that before? Hopefully we are still on schedule for a completion before Xmas and an official opening sometime in January. There's been a very good response to the Piobaireachd Society's decision to start selling tunes from its collection individually. I suppose people can't always stretch to the expense of buying the complete book that contains the one tune they are studying so this makes for a good compromise. You can get the printed scores emailed as PDFs through the CoP website. And remember you can get an mp3 file to go with it for only £2.50 - click on 'Lessons' on the CoP website.


Date: 07 Sep. 2007

~ Aviemore ~
Well that's it for another year. August is getting to be so busy that I'm often glad to see the back of it. I swear that Aug 1 next year will see me heading for a western isle where I will live in a cave and cut peat for four weeks. The Northern Meeting at Aviemore went well enough but I feel it has run its course as a venue. Most comments I heard were not in favour of it remaining on Speyside. Audiences were certainly down and I don't think I've seen so few at the Former Winners' MSR. Anyway congrats to all the winners and watch the PT for pix and reports. I hope you all enjoyed CoP Radio. Wasn't that an intriguing composition by John MacDonald, Inverness? Thanks to Paula Glendinning for bringing it to my attention. For those who haven't tuned in yet the tune is very much on the high G. There is only a ground and a variation, but it would be a simple task to write taorluaths and crunluath variations. Quite topical really, given that we have modern tunes set for the senior piobaireachd events in 2008. Now is, of course, the time to be looking out the music for next year's set tunes. Getting them off by Xmas is always a good idea.


Date: 07 Sep. 2007

~ Oban and Cowal ~
Yesterday we had a visit at the College from Willie Connell, now of Ontario, Canada. Willie was a pupil of Robert Reid's and the first and only man to win the Clasp at Inverness without first winning the Gold Medal. The rules were changed, he told me, once the 'anomaly' was discovered. That was all of 50 years ago and Willie is still going strong though he has been ill recently. He
won't be at Aviemore later in the week but you will be able to read about him in the official programme. Ken Eller, the infamous Captain, also called in. Great to see Ken looking so well. He was telling me that he and Andrew Wright were the piping judges in Grade 1 at Cowal and both called the first five places exactly the same. Now when did that last happen? Cowal solos (last Friday) were pretty disappointing with a generally poor standard of play in the 'B' piob. which I helped judge with Bob Worrall, Ronnie Clarke and John Wilson but more about this in the PT. Oban was a much better listening experience and I've managed to get some decent recordings for CoP Radio which I'll broadcast once I've permission.
The Sept. PT will be out this week with a full report on the Worlds plus one or two other items which will no doubt ruffle a few feathers. But remember; it is all true. I'm looking forward to catching up with friend and foe at Aviemore, camera, mic and notepad at the ready. We've just had a site meeting re the new Lecture Hall and everything is going pretty well. The roof trusses and other heavy bits of kit had to be hoisted over the College building by crane. This all happened last week whilst we were sunning ourselves at Oban. Otago Street had to be closed and traffic diverted via Byres Rd. Well it's not everyday the CoP causes chaos in the West End. Thanks to everyone for their forbearance. Remember to keep checking the home page for the results from Aviemore.


Date: 15 Aug. 2007

~ Worlds etc. ~
Well that's it for another year. The Worlds was pretty much a washout and congrats to all the bands who stuck to their tasks so well in dreadful conditions. I spent the day huddled on the stands at the Grade 1 arena and you can read my comments in the next PT. There has been no post-Worlds let up at the CoP. Place is bursting at the seams again and I want to thank Stuart Liddell and John Wilson for coming in at short notice to help out with the teaching, and Stow College for letting the drummers have use of their classrooms at Stow West. We had a site meeting on the new building yesterday and everything is progressing on schedule. The roof trusses arrive next week and there will be a temporary evacuation of the building whilst these are hoisted skywards from Otago Street to the back of the building. All very exciting and very necessary. The new Lecture Hall will give us much needed space and if you can support us in our endeavours then we'd be very grateful. Info on the Building Fund is on the website and in the current PT. Our recitalists last week did a great job. Alasdair Gillies and 'wee' Norrie were in good form as was Gordon Walker. And a big thank you to the lads from the 78th Highlanders who came in at short notice and gave us 20 minutes each. Looking ahead, our evening and Saturday morning classes resume on the week beginning Sept 15. All subsidised as usual. £50 for 10 weeks instruction can't be bad so get your name down if you want to improve your playing. Oban next week and I hope to be able to speak to you before then. Before I go I want to congratulate all of our students who have done so well in the solos and with their bands.


Date: 09 Aug. 2007

~ Worlds week ~
Back from Lorient eventually; almost didn't make the Alasdair Gillies recital at the CoP thanks to the appalling British Airways who cancelled our flight from Nantes to Gatwick at the last minute. Lorient was exceptional, the only downside being the non-appearance of any Scots pipers at the piobaireachd contest. Other commitments meant I missed the contest however and also the MacCrimmon Trophy but congrats to Herve and Alexis on their success and also to Glenn Brown for winning the Dunvegan Medal. I heard his winning tune at Lochearnhead Games and he had a lovely pipe. World's Week is in full swing as I write. I wonder if people realise how many events that are going on are nothing to do with the heavily subsidised 'Piping Live' festival - 'Piping on the Clyde', FMM Concert, CoP recitals, and many others. My belief is that more of the subsidy cash from the local council, Glenfiddich and others should be channelled into the Worlds which is the real reason everyone is in town in the first place. The Piping Centre is taking upwards of £50,000 of this subsidy in 'running costs'. Whilst in Lorient bumped into Fred Morrison who is run off his feet with gigs but who was telling me he really misses competing in the solos. I've always believed he's been a great loss to mainstream piping. A beautifully musical piper, Freddie would grace any competition board. Also met Erwan Ropars, former P/M, of the Kemper band the many times Breton champs. He's now working with a lower grade band and bringing them on well. Scott MacAulay and the band from the CoP PEI were in the CoP yesterday and it was great to catch up...they're last on in their grade on Sat. so good luck to them....more ramblings later and apologies to all those visitors I haven't managed to see face to face.


Date: 30 Jul. 2007

~ Visits ~
Apologies for the slight delay in my weekly update. The end of last week was hectic with my faithful layout wizard Hugh returning from holiday - hence a last minute rush with the PT. Happy to say the August issue is now being printed as I write and should be with you all on time. There will be a delay however with August's CoP Radio. As usual at this time of year I am waiting to include the World Championships in the next show so please bear with me. In the meantime I am off to Brittany for the Lorient Festival and a performance of Edward McGuire's 'L'Epopee Celtique'. If possible I'll include excerpts from that too in the next show. The work is an amazing construction with the composer managing to combine the pipes of Galicia, Scotland, Ireland and Brittany in the same 25 minute piece. We have performed this before in Lorient and also at Celtic Connections in Glasgow. Each time there has been a tremendous ovation from the audience. It really is quite a unique experience being part of it. I will be back at the start of World's Week when we have a good few events at the College. We have been chock a block all summer with visitors and students. A good problem to have but we desperately need the new Lecture Hall. Read about the latest on that in your August PT.


Date: 20 Jul. 2007

~  Visits ~
It is not the weather which tells you that it is summer in Scotland but the amount of visitors. This week we've had Anatoly from Russia, Gordon from Oman, Dave from South Africa as well as our Israeli friends. Instructor Barry Donaldson is back from Bahrain after a successful trip. Wonderful to meet everyone and hear all the stories; it all underlines again what a global instrument the GHB is nowadays. World's Week is building up and we have to announce an extra concert at the CoP on Tues Aug 7 when Alistair Dunn will be in recital at 1pm. The previous evening those generous chaps at Wallace Bagpipes are laying on a free evening at the Renfrew Ferry nightspot. Their 'Piping on the Clyde' night should be great fun and a number of bands have been lined up to play. Two nights later the place to be will be Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for the FMM concert. Godon Parkes their former leading drummer has been asked along as a guest as the band re-visit some of their successful music of yesteryear. I met Gordon on PEI where he was tutoring the drummers in the CoP band. A real gentleman and a font of knowledge. Thanks for the pix Gordon. Still on World's Week we musn't forget Alasdair Gillies and son Norman who will be at the CoP on Aug 8 and Gordon Walker on Aug 9. In addition to all of this the CoP Summer Schools - the biggest ever- are running throughout July and August with Andrew Wright Piobaireachd Class the week after the Worlds.


Date: 13 Jul. 2007

~  Games etc. ~
The games season kicks off in earnest this weekend - it is the start of the Glasgow Fair holidays after when all right minded people are preparing themselves for rain and soggy sandwiches. Extremely busy Summer School at the CoP this week with five instructors all going full pelt. Great to welcome Anatoly back from Moscow complete with bagpipes and vodka. The large numbers threw into focus our need for the new Lecture Hall and I can report that the ground works have now been completed with the steel work starting next week. Dugald MacNeill reported a highly successful CoP California School with 72 students.


Date: 06 Jul. 2007

~  Back in Harness ~
First full week since coming back from Canada. Met with the usual deluge of emails etc but have now managed to get ahead of the game as we say. Monday was particularly busy with the CoP End of Term competition. Entries were up on last year and a pretty good standard was heard throughout. The overall title went to Robert Grey. No sooner had Robert stopped celebrating his band's (the Boggies) success in Ballymena than here he was getting his laurels again. So well done to him and to Donald MacFarlane who played a nice 'Viscount of Dundee' to win the piobaireachd. Robert placed second with the Groat. The weather in Scotland continues to be very dreich. It doesn't augur well for the rest of the summer. We have had on/off rain all through May, June and now into July with no sign in a let up in the low pressure fronts coming in off the Atlantic. Once they start it can take months to shift them so those heading over for the Worlds, Oban and the other contests should come prepared for the worst. I hope those who are coming over will call into the College. Remember you can check your email here and have a tune if you wish.


Date: 25 Jun. 2007

~  PEI ~
It is a very small piping world. On the way to Prince Edward Island we bumped into Brian Yates from Boston and formerly the chief piping organiser for Loon Mountain Games. Brian now lives near Foyers on Loch Ness and he told me he now does supply teaching in Inverness and helps out occasionally with a bit of piping teaching. He was on the way home to visit family and friends. We spent a pleasant hour in the terminal building at Keflavik waiting for our connections..... We eventually arrived in one piece on PEI the day before the Summerside Highland Gathering and caught up right away with CoP PEI director Scott MacAulay. As ever in fine form, Scott made us very welcome. Games days on the Sat and Sun were overcast but there were only a few showers. Fellow judges were Sandy Keith up from Dunedin in Florida, Don Forgan from Ontario and Gordon Parkes from N Ireland. Got a text from Ballymena with the results and Gordon was naturally delighted a brother Richard's latest success. Playing at the gathering was mixed in the solos but the bands were very good. I managed to record them so all things being equal and barring technical glitches I'll be able to let you hear some of the playing on the next CoP radio. One disappointment was not hearing Bruce Gandy's Halifax band. We always expect the top bands to support their local games but they must have had a prior engagement. PT for July will be mailed at the end of this week.


Date: 15 Jun. 2007

~  Canada Trip ~
Very busy this week trying to get things tied up before heading off to Prince Edward Island for a visit to the CoP there. Also judging the games so looking forward to that. Scott MacAulay has done fantastic work in building up the PEI CoP and it is now one of the main visitor attractions on the island with ceilidhs and concerts throughout the summer as well as, of course, top level instruction.
The PT has gone to bed early but will be mailed on the usual date at the end of the month. Norman Matheson concludes his 'Piper's Palsy' articles. I've been amazed at the response to this series. I
hadn't realised how many pipers suffer from finger difficulties. The Lochaber Gathering have confirmed that the event will go ahead this year again but on a different date. For the past two years I've done a talk on a noted piper. In 2005 it was John MacColl and 2006 Willie Lawrie. This year the subject is Willie Ross. Unfortunately I'll be away at this time - the weekend of August 3rd - so Dugald MacNeill has agreed to step into the breach. I hope you are all enjoying the new virtual tours of the Museum of Piping. Our webmaster Salvi has done a wonderful job. When it works digital technology and the internet are unbeatable tools and for those of you unable to attend Jeannie's grotto in person this has to be the next best thing.


Date: 08 Jun. 2007

~ Summer's here ~
The warm weather this weekend really did make us all feel as if summer had finally arrived in Scotland - puts you in the mood for a tune at the games. The season has already started of course with strong showings already from Gordon MacCready and one or two others, so well done to them. Bumped into Jim Wark (ex-Strathclyde Police) the other day on his way to teach the pipers at
Glasgow Academy (just across the road from the CoP). Jim tells me he has a lot of ground to make up but is enjoying seeing the boys and girls improve. You'll see from the PT Fast News that the Vale of Atholl are doing a fundraiser for theschool band on June 25 at 7pm so well done done to Andy Renwick et al for finding time in the middle of a very important period for them to give some time helping the next generation. Sticking with the Vale it was pleasing to see the memorial fund launched in their former Pipe Sergeant Gordon Duncan's memory and I would urge all those who can to support the various events beinglined up. There's a link to the fund's website on our Fast News page. I've had a good response to the latest PT; apologies to all those who attended the CoP Lecture but whose picture didn't make it into the magazine; there's always next year. Wasn't that a nice shot of Ronnie McShannon and his wife Fiona? Particular interest is being shown in the 'Pipers's Palsy' seriesby Norman Matheson. I had no idea the problem was so widespread.I hope you've all ordered your copies of MoP 9, just out this week. Some excellent tuition again from the Bobs and a number of Oban and Inverness (Aviemore) tunes are covered.


Date: 01 Jun. 2007

~ Italy etc. ~
Well Italy was a mixed experience. The class held at Pavone in Piedmonte went well and we worked through two tunes from Tutor 4 over the weekend. Alberto Massi took the beginners and then we came together for an overview on piobaireachd. It did, of course, rain for the entire time I was there so that sort of took the shine off things. The welcome, however, made up for that and thanks to the B.I.G. for making all the arrangements and in particular Alberto for his hospitality. I look forward to working with the BIG again in the future. They've posted some pix on their website at www.cornamusa.org . CoP RAdio should be on air from this weekend and it features the final of the SPA KO for the PT Trophy. June PT should be with all subscribers. Let me know if you haven't got yours yet; also happy to receive any comments adverse or otherwise. Work on the Lecture Hall is proceeding well and the groound engineering was completed yesterday on schedule. The pilers should be here next week so there may be a bit of noise to contend with. Still, will all be worth it in the end.


Date: 24 May. 2007

~ Italy ~
Off to Tuscany tomorrow for a piobaireachd workshop weekend. Alberto Massi, certainly one of Italy's best pipers, is the organiser. He has a good group of enthusiasts so I hope to be able to work through quite a few tunes. We tend not to think of Italy as a hotbed of piping but they have had their own piping tradition and their own pipes (zampogna) for centuries. However, such is the quality of our music, it's perhaps not surprising that the highly artistic and musically minded Italians are beginning to latch on to the glories of ceol mor. So there you are, Kilberry and chianti. Well, someone's got to do it. I've managed to get the PT finished in good time before heading off so it will be mailed out on  Tues.and Weds. of next week. The College is closed on Monday for the national bank holiday. Unfortunately I didn't make it to the Scottish at Dumbarton last week. Well I did, but after being refused admission to the official car park by an over officious attendant - despite my official pass - I turned tail and went back home. It was a dreadful day of weather so photography would have been a waste of time anyway. Congrats to Donald MacKay and Strathclyde Police on winning Grade 1. Donald was in at the College yesterday and he was telling me that the band has only ever won the ScottishChampionship on six occasions since it was inaugurated.


Date: 17 May. 2007

~ Scottish Champs etc. ~
Band season looms large now with the Scottish on Saturday at Dumbarton. Unfortunately the forecast is not too good so we should all be ready for some rain. It is always interesting to hear how the bands are shaping up early in the season. SLOT will be in Glasgow tomorrow I'm told for a practice possibly in Kelvingrove Park...chance of a sneak preview. The Worlds was officially launched today in George Square, Glasgow, with an unusual slant on the promo -- a taxi has been painted in WPB Champs. livery. Tickets are now on sale for those who want to get their seating organised quickly for the G1 arena. Click on the button on the CoP website. Also available are tickets for the FMM spectacular at
Glasgow Concert Hall on Aug 8. Should be a special night. Finally on the bands you may have noticed the draw for the British just being announced. The final of the SPA Knockout last Thursday was a good evening of piping and not too much of the jazzy stuff. On balance I think Stewart Liddell was a worthy winner but both he and Angius MacColl played very well considering they had just returned from a gig in California. Maybe Stewart handled the jetlag a little better. Anyway, great entertainment for the crowd and well done to the SPA. Have recorded everyhting for the next CoP Radio show. It overruns the slot by a considerable amount so will have to edit down trying, of course, to keep in all the good bits.


Date: 09 May. 2007

~ Oban etc. ~
Major crash with CoP computers hence delay with this blog. Fortunately we'd invested in a top of the range back-up system so everything is back to normal. Oabn's Highlands and Islands Festival was a very good weekend of piping and an opportunity to shake off some ring-rustiness. CoP Radio should be on air any day now and it features Jim Murray's excellent 'Lord Lovat' recorded at Oban last Friday and also selections from the Ulster solos. John Keys stells me registrations for the California School are well ahead of expectations so Dugald and the team are in for the usual very full week of instruction and fun down San Diego way. Back here things are shaping up for a very busy summer with the Summer Schools running right through July and into August with Andrew Wright's Piobaireachd Class the week after the Worlds. As you probably know Andrew has been in hospital for the last couple of weeks and is making good progress. He's had a nasty time of it and I hope to get up to visit him in the next day or so and will pass on everyone's good wishes. The big event this week is the Knockout Final at the usal venue in Anniesland. I'll be
recording it for Cop Radio so if you can't manage along don't worry - it will be on air in June. I was judging the kids at Oban with Iain MacFadyen and he tells me is going along to hear Stuart and Angus battle it out for the Piping Times Trophy. Shaping up to be one of the classics.


Date: 27 Apr. 2007

~ N. Ireland ~
A very good standard of piping at the Ulster solos last week. A great day for Andrea Boyd who won both Piob and MSR; some excellent piping too from Andrew Hall, Andrew Carlisle and Kevin Rogers. I think St Laurence pipers took most of the piping firsts (in the light music anyway) so well done to them. The big difference between the winners and non-winners was the quality of the bagpipe. The SLOT team all had tuneful instruments. For some reason the N Ireland branch of the RSPBA who run the contest don't include the piobaireachd in the overall prize so that went not to Andrea but to Andrew Carlisle. Hopefully they'll sort out this anomally for next year. Thanks to George Ussher, Fred Walker and Mervyn Herron for looking after us so well. The May PT has gone to bed so should be mailed out Monday or Tuesday. Up to Oban for a tune at the Highland Islands next Fri so better get the pipes going this weekend.


Date: 20 Apr. 2007

~ N Ireland and new building ~
Senior Instructor Joe Wilson and I are heading for Belfast tonight for the RSPBA's Branch solos. Looking forward to some good piping and to seeing some old friends in the Province. I have a few piobaireachd students in the ceol mor so I will be doing the light music and Joe the heavy stuff. Good to see big Donald MacPhee and John Patrick in the College the other day. John was in for some reeds and hadn't been at the CoP since the new building went up. Donald was telling me he had some very good students down at Hermitage Academy in Helnsburgh where he teaches. He hopes to put them through their PDQB exams soon. Monday sees the start of work on the new Lecture Hall so visitors will be unable to park in the usual place at the rear of the CoP. Fortunately there is plenty of parking in neighbouring street or at the Kelvinbridge Underground station. The builders will be grouting at first - pouring concrete into the subterranean mineworkings and tunnels that permeate the west end of Glasgow and run right under our building. Once that is done it will be piling and then the superstructure goes on. If everything goes to plan - and it never does where building work is concerned - we should be finished by the first week in November. Watch the PT for progress
reports. Summer Term evening classes have started up and if anyone can find a better deal in piping then let me know. £50 for ten weeks of lessons (£40 for juvenile) takes some beating. As everyone should know the College uses any profits from the CoP Shop to subsidise our teaching to make lessons as affordable as possible for as many people as possible. Doing so we are following the modus operandi established on our founding in 1948.


Date: 13 Apr. 2007

~ Pipe Band School ~
As part of our commitment to the pipe band world we are launching a Pipe Band School on April 28 at 10am at the CoP. The first meeting will take the form of a seminar with P/M Barry Donaldson. Barry will have reeds for those attending to try out and will also be available for advice regarding contest medleys and ensemble playing. Alexis Fergusson our Grade 1 drummer will also be along to help the drummers. Admission is free. The College often gets tagged with the 'solo piping and nothing else tag' but nothing could be further from the truth. I hope the new PB School will help dispel this myth. Settling in after the NYC trip and wading through the mail and emails then it is on with the May PT. A new product to mention. It is a guide we've put together for those sitting PDQB exams. At only £5 this is a must for those planning on doing their exams in the near future. Has samples of the sort of questions you'll be asked, practice runs through some theory and a lot of good general advice. Order from the CoP Shop.


Date: 07 Apr. 2007

~ NYC ~
Gave a talk at the New York Historical Society the other night as part of Tartan Week. The subject was on emigration and how the pipes came to be played and accepted in North America. Good to see Eric Stein and his son and also Michael MacDonald of Celtic Heritage Magazine. Did an interview for Michael and he says he'll have something from the talk on the CH website in due course. The weather is bitterly cold. Gadding about the Manhattan subway in kilt and inadequate jacket not recommended. What a small world it is. At breakfast this morning, purely by coincidence, I met John McCracken a pupil at the College in 1972. He overheard my accent and we got talking. His instructor was Donald MacPherson. Domiciled in Minneapolis, John's parents emigrated to the US in 1958. His mother was a MacIntyre from South Uist and he remembered travelling there during his 1972 visit and meeting John MacDonald, Glasgow Police. John was delighted to hear about the new CoP building etc. Heading for Grand Central Station today the HQ of TW. Will be back in harness at CoP middle of next week.


Date: 30 Mar. 2007

~ PT and PB School ~
The PT has just arrived at the CoP from the printers. Because of the way the dates are falling this month it will be Monday before it is mailed out. We are always a couple of days late when the first of the month falls on a weekend. I think there are interesting features this month from some of the best and most gifted writers in piping. Norman Matheson deals with the complex medical topic of 'Piper's Palsy', really a sort of dystonia which manifests in the fingers not doing what you want them to. Malcolm McRae discusses the descent of piping knowledge from the MacCrimmons to the present day. As an editor this quality of work from Norman and Malcolm is manna from heaven. As the summer season gets nearer many will be interested in the Guide to the Games which Jeannie Campbell has compiled for me. Very comprehensive. For those interested in having their playing brushed up there are still one or two places on the CoP Easter School which runs for the next two weeks. Very reasonable prices - don't pay more than you have to for top level instruction. Good to see Paula Glendinning, John Wilson and Simon Pender in the CoP this week. Paula was visiting with her band from Washington DC. They are twinned with a band from Ballater on Deeside. John and Simon were looking for some good reeds. I think they got what they wanted! I'll be in NYC next week for Tartan Week laptop at the ready. Hope to blog from there.


Date: 22 Mar. 2007

~ Lecture Look Back and new Lecture Hall ~
Well the CoP Lecture seemed to go off rather well and I'd like to thank all those who came along to support us and of course Angus MacLellan for his talk on pipers of the 20th Century and to Ronnie MacShannon for his fine piping. We hope to make the Lecture an annual event and if any of you have ideas for subject matter and/or speakers please drop me an email at the College. We had our pre-contract meeting re the new Lecture Hall today and I am delighted to announce that work will begin on April 23 and is scheduled to take six months. After that we will have a fine new facility enabling us to expand our educational work. I want to thank all of those who have contributed to the Building Fund so far. The generosity of the piping world and the goodwill towards the College never ceases to gratify. We will be in hock to the bank for sometime to come but with your support I am sure we will get there in the end. We managed to pay off the main building quicker than we thought and I'm hopeful we'll be able to do the same with the Lecture Hall. In closing I want to thank the CoP staff who have been working extremely hard over the winter. They are playing their part, make no mistake. All things being equal the new hall will be completed some time in November but I'll keep you posted on progress in this space and in the PT.


Date: 14 Mar. 2007

~ CoP Lecture ~
Everyone seems to be looking forward to Friday night and the CoP Lecture. I know Angus John is in fine form these days and his humour and skills as a raconteur will be well to the fore on the night. Angus's talk will be on 'Pipers of the 20th Century'. Jeannie Campbell at the Museum of Piping has drawn together some nice photographs of some of the great names of  the past and these will be on display. It will be great too to welcome Ronnie MacShannon back into public performance again after so many years out of the limelight. He's been away far too long. Ronnie will play the tunes 'The Bicker' and 'Lachlan MacNeill of Kintarbert's Fancy' and I'll be playing two 'Nameless' tunes 'Hi hio Tro Tro' and 'Hiharin Dro o Dro'. Last year the CoP Lecture had a really good sociable feel to it and we are sure Fisher's Hotel in Pitlochry will provide the same atmosphere as we had at Dunkeld. Whisky tasting and dumpling at 7pm and after the first half of Angus's talk and a couple of piobaireachd we'll have an interval for a light supper at 8.30pm. Tickets can be had at the door. Those who can't make it should be able to catch some highlights on CoP Radio and perhaps CoP TV and there will be a report in the PT.


Date: 07 Mar. 2007

~ 214 and PO Problems ~
Well what a good night we had at the 214 reunion. A chance to catch up with old cronies and, as an added bonus, the team of RW, Joe Noble, Steven McQuillan and Harry Blackhall won the quiz! Some questions were not so easy: How many times in succession did the 214 Pipe Band win the Glasgow Battalion Championship? 25. In what year did the band win first prize in the Grade 2 European Championships? 1955 (not bad for a bunch of under 18s).
For those ex-214ers out there who couldn't manage along check out www.214bb.co.uk for the latest updates. Apologies re the delay to the PT this month. It seems that the Post Office rejected the envelopes we sent them out in. Total mystery to us as we've been using the same ones for many years now. Whatever the reason, they have all been re-posted and should be with subscribers today (Mar 7) or tomorrow. Look out for CoP Radio from tonight too. It features the Archie Kenneth Quaich competition and the CoP Winter School and the usual ramblings from yours truly. Heartiest congrats to Theresa Brown on her big win in the Quaich.
Only a week or so until the CoP Lecture at Fisher's Hotel, Pitlochry; should be a good night and anyone wishing to attend can pay at the door or get their tickets beforehand via the CoP website.


Date: 02 Mar. 2007

~ Archie Kenneth Quaich ~
Well it's off to the annual reunion of the 214th BB company tonight. The '214' was the nurturing ground for so many pipers and drummers over the years. The company no longer exists in its own right but those of us who were members in its heyday always feel a debt of gratitude when we hear the name. Hope to meet Ian McLellan and Joe Noble and other well known worthies from the pipe band world. Can't be too long a night though as I'm on judging duty at the Archie Kenneth Quaich tomorrow in Edinburgh. Always a highlight in the amateur piping calendar this competition is run by the Music Committee of the Piobaireachd Society. Around 20 pipers have entered and there are always one or two stick out tuunes as well as a host of other good performances. Attendsnce is open to everyone and admission is free so if you are in Edinburgh tomorrow why not drop in for a listen and see if the judges get it right. If not it won't be the first time!
Slight delay in the PT this month so apologies to everyone waiting for the usual delivery on the first of the month.
The lucky pipers selected for the Silver and Gold Medal competitions at Oban and Aviemore 2007 will have been notified this week and all I can say to those who didn't make is this: redouble your
efforts, get round the games, establish a track record and carefully note your successes on the way. Learn the set tunes anyway to improve your knowledge. This will also help convince the selection committee that you have the commitment to compete at the highest level.


Date: 20 Feb. 2007

~ Back in Harness ~
Sorry for taking so long since my last communication. Problem was a lack of web access at the CoP Winter School in Bruggen near Dusseldorf, Germany, and then the need to get the PT to bed on time on my return.
The school went as well as can be imagined and I feel our instructors did a marvellous job in working with the students. All 62 rose to the challenages we presented them with and the 45 exam passes achieved are testament to that. But it was not all work and we had some excellent piping ceilidhs. I really do believe the standard of German piping is at the dawn of a major breakthrough and not just because of the CoP School. Pioneers like Peter Brinckmann and Klaus Linhardt flew the piping flag in the 70s, 80s and 90s before we arrived and the staff at the BAG have had a first class school running every summer for many years. All of this is now paying dividends.
I hope to have a full page of pix from the 2007 school on the CoP site very soon with some of the endorsements from the students running alongside. Thanks to everyone for attending and especially to Dave Johnston who did all the vital behind the scenes work. Report to follow in a subsequent PT. All things being equal we hope to do the school again next year with an announcement sometime round about September.


Date: 08 Feb. 2007

~ Radio Glitch and German School ~
Computers! Great when they work. Sorry about the delay in the Feb CoP Radio show. Was recorded last Sunday (Feb 5) but gremlins are preventing uploading to the web. Hopefully problem will be overcome today. Show has a pipe band bent, an archive spot on William Maclean, and tunes from James Murray and yours truly. To all listeners: thanks for your patience.
We're all gearing up for the CoP Winter School from Sunday. Will probably be v cold on mainland Europe. With 61 students (45 doing PDQB exams) we won't have much time to worry about that. Students will work from the College's set of tutors. Beginners on Tutor 1 (385,000 copies sold to date), intermediates on Tutor 3 (rewritten and now complete with CD) and piobaireachd beginners on Tutor 4 (a unique introduction to ceol mor). We have a policy of discouraging photocopying of tunes. Composers make little enough from their tunes without that, so everyoine is encouraged to buy books, the tutors included.
Willie and Gary will keep the CoP Shop going whislt we're away at the school and Angus John MacLellan is in all week teaching. Saw him yesterday looking hale and hearty. He's looking forward to doing the College Lecture on March 16: 'Pipers of the 20th Century'. Angus made the point that he will be mentioning those pipers who made their name in the pipe band world and we sometimes forget had outstanding solo pedigrees too: Bob Hardie and John MacDonald of the Glasgow Police to name two.
The CoP Lecture Hall appeal is going well and thanks to all those who have contributed so far.


Date: 29 Jan. 2007

~ Rev Ken and Nat OAM ~
Pipers who were/are regulars at Glenfinnan Games will be saddened to hear of the passing of Kenneth Wigston. The Rev Ken was the genial man in the dog collar who used to announce the pipers and their tunes at the piobaireachd board. He would stick determinedly to his task throughout what could be a very long day irrespective of the weather. Kenneth died after being struck by a car on the A82 road through Glencoe where he lived. He was on the way with his daughter to visit his wife in hospital when he was knocked down. Police are investigating. Condolences to his family at this time.
On a happier note it is with pleasure that we reported last week on the Order of Australian Merit for Nat Russell. Nat's all round contribution to piping and pipe bands has been immense but the stand out achievement has to be in leading Victoria Police, Australia, to the World title. Hard enough to do without the travelling but at such a distance quite remarkable. Well done Nat; we humble folk here in Scotland salute you.
PT for Feb has gone to bed; despatched this Weds.


Date: 17 Jan. 2007

~ College Tuition Fees ~
I am pleased to announce that in keeping with our charitable status the College will be able to maintain tuition fees at their current level for the whole of 2007. This means that the hourly rate for non-members is £14 and for members £12. Juvenile (under 18) non-members pay £12 and juvenile members £10. Evening class and Saturday morning fees will also be held at current rates, that is £50 for adults and £40 for juveniles (under 18s) for a ten week course.
I am sure everyone understands the level of subsidy that is involved in keeping these prices down. It is only through the support for the Piping Times and the College Shop that we can do so.
Evening/Saturday attendance figures for the first week of the Winter Term are very healthy with a total of 52 registrations including a mother and daughter from Estonia now domiciled in Glasgow.
With prices being the way they are it means a young piper or drummer (Wednesday nights) can come along for the 10 week course paying what amounts to a very reasonable £4 per lesson. It is, of course, part of the College's 'aims and objects', or 'mission statement' to use the modern jargon, drawn up in 1944, that we must make our lessons and tutor books as affordable as possible. We will also teach children and adults for free if they are of low means. We do not believe that cost should be an impediment to anyone who wants to become a competant piper or drummer. Anyone wishing to take advantage of these very reasonable tuition fees and avail themselves of the services of our expert teachers can do so on line on the College website or by calling 0141 334 3587.


Date: 08 Jan. 2007

~ Winter School ~
Welcome to the new year everyone and I hope you all enjoyed the celebrations. The College is now back in full swing and working hard to fulfil the orders that have come in over the holiday.
The CoP Winter School at Bruggen in Germany in February now has 51 students enrolled which is particularly heartening given that it is our first. Forty of the students will be sitting the new PDQB exams at the end of the week so the instructors/examiners will have their work cut out. The enthusiasm is indictive I think of the growing interest on mainland Europe for the great Highland bagpipe, helped of course by the College's Tutor 1 being translated into French and German. I would like to remind all pupils that they must bring along Tutor 1 if they are beginners, Tutor 3 if they are intermediate students and Tutor 4 if they wish to study piobaireachd. We do not encourage photocopying, so the senior class should make sure they have all the music they wish to work on. Registrar Dave Johnston has booked the local schloss (castle) for the Graduation Ceremony at the end of the week and we are hopeful that the local mayor will attend. Those still wishing to enrol have until January 31. Go to the CoP website for links to full details in German and English.


Date: 28 Dec. 2006

~ NY and Hogmanay ~
Well that's Xmas over and now for New Year. I trust all of you doing the 'piping in the New Year' gig are making sure you are properly paid for your time and effort. We've had one or two requests at the College this week. Pipers, we should be charging nothing less than £200 for our evening's work, more if we can get it and no conscience. Don't be fobbbed off with a free drink, something to eat and few pound coins. Remember the preparation time you have had to put in, your dress time and taxis - apart from the fact that you are away from your nearest and dearest on an important social occasion. So if the prospective pub or hotel gives you the 'only for ten minutes' tosh explain the former. The PT and Pipe Band magazines have been mailed this week. Some could arrive this Saturday.  If not, it will be next week.


Date: 18 Dec. 2006

~ Xmas and NY break ~
The CoP will be closed Xmas Day and Boxing Day and New Year's Day and Jan 2. Our best wishes for the season to all our supporters, readers and to pipers and enthusiasts everwhere.
The Jan PT should be with everyone anytime after Jan 3 and contains some exciting news.
CoP Radio will broadcast its first show of 2007 in the first week of Jan -- so two things to banish those post festive blues the PT & CoP Radio. College Xmas lunch is this Friday (Dec 22) so if you need anything please call in the morning. Best sellers in the CoP Shop this week have been the John D CD and the Willie MacDonald CD with the new Fred Morrison and Allan MacDonald books both doing well.


Date: 15 Dec. 2006

~ PDQB ~
To remind everyone: The new Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board exams go live from January 1. Old IoP and RSPBA Structured Learning curricula will no longer be active after that date, though those who have passed these exams at the various levels will still have their achievements recognised. Would all examiners note that they will shortly be sent a CD with all the relevant exam PDQB information they need. If you haven't already given me it, please forward your up to date email address so that I can send out the Combined Syllabus which gives an complete overview of the new structure. Emails to robert.wallace@ntlbusiness.com The new exams have six levels for piping and four for drumming plus piobaireachd and teaching certificates. Check the CoP site next week for a look.


Date: 08 Dec. 2006

~ Some Updates ~
All orders for the new Donald MAcDonald book have now been despatched. Can I remind everyone that the prices of £35 and £31.50 (Piob. Soc. members) do not include post and packing. Puts the price up but money well spent. CoP radio for December will go out from this Sunday. Recording the show tonight at Radio Six.
Next week is the last of our evening classes and these resume on January 8. Biggest seller this week in CoP Shop has been the new John Burgess CD. Will be featuring it on the radio show. Speak soon.


Date: 24 Nov. 2006

~ New Book ~
Can I recommend the second volume of Essential Tunes to everyone, especially those just learning? It contains 50 of the standard tunes every piper should know, all set out in simple, easy to follow style. Each book comes complete with a CD of the tunes played on the practice chanter making it accessible to everyone. The principal behind this book and Volume 1 is to ensure that pipers have available to them the standard repertoire so that when they come together at a function or just for fun they have tunes they can all play together. Essential Tunes Vol. 1 is now in its third or fourth reprint and I think Volume 2 will be just as well recveived by the piping public. The book, compiled by Dugald MacNeill, can be bought online at the CoP Shop for only £10 (includes CD).


Date: 21 Nov. 2006

~ Good to be back ~
Back after a few days away recharging the batteries so apologies to all those waiting for replies to emails, snail mail etc. Will get round to it ASAP once I have the December PT put to bed. I hope everyone is enjoying the new look CoP web site and thanks to Salvi and Andy for their work on this. Understand enrolments for the German Winter School are coming along nicely so if you'd like a place please get your name down as soon as you can. February will be on us before we know it.


Date: 10 Nov. 2006

~ End of the Season ~
Well that's it for another competitive year on the solo platform. Pipes are well and truly under the bed for a couple of months. I always feel it is wise to take some time out at this time year. Using the practice chanter every few days usually suffices to keep the finger and brain in gear. Aspiring Oban and Aviemore pipers should use this time I feel to get the set tunes going. If you are not sure what you are doing seek out a respected teacher. The College has CD School and Tuition by Tape services so no matter where you live there is no real excuse for learning new tunes 'blind' as they say. In addition there are the Donald MacLeod and Nicol and Brown CDs to tap into. Many of our top players do this so don't be afraid to follow suit. Hope you can all listen in to the new radio show from Sunday. More pearls of wisdom than you can imagine and some v fine piping too.


Date: 06 Nov. 2006

~ Radio show at London ~
This month's radio show will be held up for a week. Producer Tony Currie has been ill. He's back now bright eyed if not bushy tailed and the new show goes out on Nov 12.
Well, just back from another good weekend at the London Championships. After playing myself I listened to many of the tunes in the A&B grade piobaireachd. A lot of good performances here. Later I took the chance to catch up with many piping friends who had flown in for the contest including Alasdair Gillies and Maureen Connor from the US. That's the good thing about London - it is easy to get to from wherever you are in the world. The SPSL did a superb job putting on so many contests on the one day - 16 in all.
At both Glasgow and Gatwick airports I was challeneged both times re my two pieces of hand baggage, my pipes and a small case, but allowed through security once I'd explained that the second piece was a musical instrument. So the new rules outlined in the PT are obviously working to the benefit of travelling pipers everywhere.


Date: 31 Oct. 2006

~ Sir Ian etc. ~
There can be fewer more deserved medals than that conferred on Sir Ian MacKay, New Zealand, last weekend.