Salt Lake Highland Games – WDPB Grade 4 Inaugural!

Yesterday was the Salt Lake Highland Games, organized by the Utah Scottish Association – it’s the biggest highland games in Utah. It was also the first time out for the brand new Wasatch and District Grade 4 band, and we turned in a very creditable performance – 4th place! We are currently in the . . . → Read More: Salt Lake Highland Games – WDPB Grade 4 Inaugural!

Radio Degrees of Separation

This week’s BBC Radio Scotland Pipeline show is definitely worth checking out, particularly if you are a piobaireachd fan.

In the middle of the show is an archive segment from 1971, when the show’s forerunner was presented by Donald MacLeod, himself a piobaireachd legend. During the segment Donald introduces part of a beautiful performance . . . → Read More: Radio Degrees of Separation

Piobaireachd Society Sound Recordings – A Sampling So Far…

Well, I’ve only been a member for week and already I’m suffering from piping sensory overload.

All members of the Piobaireachd Society get access to a special “members only” section of the Society’s website. In this section are the annual proceedings of the Society, publications of the Society, and a daily-expanding list of tunes available for . . . → Read More: Piobaireachd Society Sound Recordings – A Sampling So Far…

I join the Piobaireachd Society!

[Anyone who reads my blog must wonder at its resemblance to the eclipse cycle. It's not that there's nothing to write about, simply that I neglect it between posts!]

In any case, this seemed like big enough news that I ought to make some sort of comment. Thanks to the generosity of my Mother (who . . . → Read More: I join the Piobaireachd Society!

Andrew MacNeill of Colonsay

Usually, when I write about the Isle of Colonsay, it is in connection with the Clan Macfie. This, of course reflects my family’s links to the clan and the island. It should be noted, however, that the Macfies gradually left Colonsay during the 17th century, after which they became part of the ubiquitous worldwide . . . → Read More: Andrew MacNeill of Colonsay

A Pastoral Moment

Last night I played for a outdoor wedding at a beautiful and secluded ranch in the mountains outside Salt Lake City. I was asked to play for about a half hour prior to the service, while the guests were arriving.

About half-way through this, the wedding organizer came up to me and asked if I could . . . → Read More: A Pastoral Moment