Got a Kindle? Well now you can get your PT on the popular eReader device. Just go to the Amazon app store and download CoP Bookstore (it’s free) and there you’ll see the magazine and all the other publications we have in there so far. The app should be available from today onwards. Hard copies of some of our books are also available via Amazon too: Tutors 1- 4, Tutor 1 German, Tutor 1 French, the brilliant Glasgow Collection, Essential Tunes 1&2, Joe Wilson’s even more brilliant book, and the stupendous John MacFadyen Bk1.

Any book publisher who wants his or her book in the app please get in touch. It is really just a digital version of the CoP Shop. If the College sells your book in hard copy then why not in digital? Sales of tablets are going through the roof and the new iPad mini will do nothing but help the flow. CoP Bookstore is on Apple (iTunes app store), Android (Google Play store) and now Kindle (Amazon app.store)
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PT November issue has gone to bed and will be out on time next week. Reports include the Northern Meeting, Archaic Pipes, Remembrance Pipers and the Gesto Cant. plus all the other usual features.
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We are heading for a full house for the Echoes of Oban on November 24. Of all the champions from this year’s Argyllshire Gathering, only March winner Cameron Drummond and MacGregor winner Angus MacColl Jnr. have still to confirm. Hope you can make it gents. The line up so far is Stuart Liddell, Gordon Walker, Finlay Johnston, Alastair Dunn, Peter McCalister, Jonathan Graham and Innes Smith. They’ll each play their winning piece(s) from Oban plus a couple of other tunes if time. £6 at the CoP door. Copious refreshments.
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I hear new Shotts P/M Ryan Canning has 33 pipers signed up; no suggestion they will all get to play but indicative of a surge in enthusiasm for the new P/M and his P/Sgt, Glenn Brown. One of those joining is Sarah Muir who moves from Inveraray. Going the other way is top young drummer Grant Cassidy the World solo drumming champion in his grade. He of course joins leading tip Steven McWhirter who only last week retained his adult World Solo crown.
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Hector Russell reminds me that this week saw the 50th anniversary of the death of Archie MacNeill (left), the blind piper, and the man who was really the progenitor of the College of Piping. Archie died on Oct 23rd 1962. His nephew was Seumas MacNeill and his son, also Alex, went to Montreal I believe. A remarkable man in many ways he will live forever through his masterful compositions David Ross of Rosehall and Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban. Here is Archie’s death certificate signed by Seumas, or James, as he was back in 1962:

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Sorry to hear of the passing of Dundee song writer, top performer and all round good guy Michael Marra. Mike is responsible for some of the best lines about contemporary Scotland. I’ve probably got this wrong, but among my favourites are:

‘I’m a hermless wee man,
‘Naebuddy bothers wi’ me
‘Ah go tae the libray and tak oot a book
‘Then a go hame fur ma tea’

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The CoP Xmas Class runs Thurs Dec 27 and Fri Dec 28 and Thurs Jan 3 and Fri Jan 4. The four day course will be conducted by Willie Morrison at the College beginning 10am. It is an excellent opportunity to get the fingers sorted out during the holiday period. Click here. £60.
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Leaving now for Bert Smith’s funeral in Grangemouth. I am sure there will be a big turnout.

 

 

 

 

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