Features

For International Women’s Day 2025, pipes|drums wa …

The Saskatchewan Pipe Band Association has officia …

Bill Livingstone’s passing on February 22, 2025, a month short of what would have been his eighty-third birthday, was met with profound sadness throughout the piping and drumming world. Eleven of those who were among the closest to him in the piping and drumming world contribute their thoughts and photos.

Piobaireachd clubs and community societies are popping up worldwide, and the Canadian province of New Brunswick is no exception. Colton Patterson contributes the story of the NB Piobaireachd Club and how easy it is to organize your own non-competition, performance-based group to celebrate ceol mor.

“Lament for Captain MacDougall,” “Lament for Pipe-Major Hugh Fraser,” “Lament for the Duke of Hamilton,” “MacKenzie of Gairloch’s Salute,” “Prince Charles’ Lament,” “Salute to the MacCrimmon Cairn at Borreraig,” and “You’re Welcome, Ewen Lochiel” are the latest additions to the exclusive series of recordings by Captain John MacLellan MBE, with an introduction by Colin MacLellan.

Liam Nunes of Virginia investigates the effect of World War II on the Highland pipe and pipe bands. His discoveries and conclusions are illuminating.

A brief conversation with Helen Urquhart, Head of Events with the National Piping Centre and manager of the Balvenie Medal, on the nomination and award process for the award for selfless and unstinting service to the piping world.

What prompted Donald Roy MacCrimmon to compose this beloved piob? Was it a fair and bonnie Highland lass who spurned his advances? Or maybe he wooed a woman playing it at the door of her shieling at Borreraig? Well, neither were the beneficiaries of this dulcet bagpipe love song. Not even close.

“Lament for Alasdair Dearg MacDonnell of Glengarry,” “Lament for Finlay,” “Hector MacLean’s Warning,” “I Got a Kiss of the King’s Hand,” “Lady Doyle’s Salute,” and “The Parading of the MacDonalds” are the latest additions to the exclusive series of recordings by Captain John MacLellan MBE, with an introduction by Colin MacLellan.

Iain MacDonald (Regina) brings us the story of a machinist-piper who created an ingenious device to speed the process of turning chanters for the famous bagpipe maker Jimmy Tweedie.

The success story of the fast-rising bagpipe maker from Kirkcaldy, Scotland, whose pipe chanters are already being played by Grade 1 bands after less than two years.

In the latest addition to her series, an examination of the difference between “nerves” and actual anxiety and possible methods to help competitors to play to their potential.

We continue our conversation with recently-elected …

We check in with Liam Kernaghan only a few weeks after starting his tenure as president of the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Association.

This installment includes the piobaireachds “Beloved Scotland,” “The Bicker,” “My Dearest On Earth, Give Me Your Kiss,” and “The Munros’ Salute.”