15th annual pipes|drums New Year’s Honours

2016 Product of the Year

Captain John A. MacLellan, MBE – Complete Compositions of Ceol Mor – Edited by Colin MacLellan

The ambitious project released earlier in the year was a labour of love to commemorate and preserve the piobaireachd compositions by the late great “Captain John.” The tunes were painstakingly typeset, with the background history and stories of each, and included a recording of the tunes by various players, including MacLellan’s famous son, Colin. Another piping legend, Jack Lee, gave the product a rave review.

+ An immense labour of love

Panellists’ comments:

“A great tribute of a musical legacy left to us by a great piper, competitor, teacher and reedmaker.”

“The combination of book and high-quality audio make this a winner.”

“The book is an example of the promotion of modern piobaireachd and dovetails nicely into the superb annual Memorial dinner.”

Also nominated (alphabetical order):

• Side Lights on the Kilberry Book of Ceol Mor – the combined re-release of the two-volume compendium of letters and remembrances of Archibald Campbell, Kilberry, by his late son, James, was a welcome addition.
• The International Collection of Bagpipe Music, Book Three – Compiled by Bob Worrall – long-anticipated, Worrall’s latest book continues to round out any serious piper’s library.
• The Legend Lives On – A Compilation of Original Tunes Composed by the Greatest Piper of the 20th Century – Donald MacPherson – a late addition in 2016, the collection of well-known and previously unpublished light music works was welcomed, particularly for the historical anecdotes and photos.