Match Report Tuesday 23rd April 2024

Following on from an excellent days piping at The Wheel of Fortune, where Craig Sutherland and Cameron Drummond (MSR-sponsored by EPS) shared the spoils, we had a surprisingly quiet night on Tuesday with only 7 pipers on the floor. There must be good weather somewhere. However the reappearance of John Murphy more than made up for this, and while still not in top form, it was great to see Murph sitting back enjoying the music.

The post pie piper was Iain MacDonald who  warmed the pipe playing, In Memory of Herbie MacLeod, and then gave us MacFarlane’s Gathering. 

In memory of Herbie MacLeod (of Arlington, Massachusetts) is originally a fiddle tune written by Jerry Holland. Herbie’s parents were Gaelic speaking people from Cape Breton. Herbie died in May 2000. Jerry Holland died in July 2009 and in tribute at his funeral the Strathspey and Reel Society of New Hampshire played this tune, along with a selection of his reels, in the 2009 Gala Concert. A great wee tune that the late great Alasdair Gilles had in his repertoire. 

The MacFarlanes Gathering (Togail nam Bo) is a very melodic tune. The main published source for this tune is C. S. Thomason’s Ceol Mor, where it first appeared in print, identified as ‘Leech of Glendaruel & Gillies’ Version’ and ‘Set by Pipe Major Gillies after Piper Leech of Glendaruel’. 

The tune was recovered in 1894 by John MacDougall Gillies following an appeal by piping historian and Gaelic scholar Henry Whyte (‘Fionn’) in the Oban Times. 

There has always been discussion that this tune is similar to, or another version of, Too Long in This Condition, but John MacDougall Gillies states that it is a genuine tune in its own right. The tradition of Togail Nam Bo may have been composed by Andrew MacFarlane, who fell at Flodden, while Too Long in this Condition is ascribed to a MacCrimmon, maltreated as a prisoner after Sheriffmuir.

On a very genteel bagpipe Iain gave us a fine rendition of the tune and it was a great way to end the evening. Well done sir.

And that was the evening’s evening. A date for the diary is our visit from Lochgelly High School on Tuesday 21st May, when instructor Greig Canning will be bringing along his charges for a tune. It will be on normal meeting night on Tuesday 7th May. 

Euan Anderson

Hon P/M

Visit of Lochgelly High School – 21st May 2024

We are very pleased to announce that we will be joined by pipers from The Lochgelly High School Pipe Band on Tuesday 21st May under the guidance of tutor Greig Canning.

This will be their first visit to Eagles and a fine night of piping is assured. The band is part of Fife pipe band history winning many major prizes and launching the careers of numerous top pipers, Greig included. The band also featured heavily in the award winning play “Thunderstuck” by David Colvin

Please come along and support the pipers.

Match Report Tuesday 9th April 2024

Another well attended practice night saw some 14 pipers on the floor. No sign of John Murphy as yet so hang in there John, get better and get back to the bar.

The solo piping season is well under way and Ben Duncan was the overall winner at the Scottish Pipers’ Association last weekend. A very busy and well attended competition held at the National Piping Centre. Alisdair Henderson won the overall at the Donald MacLeod memorial invitational and we have the Wheel of Fortune to look forward to on Sunday, 21st April, at Danderhall Minor Welfare Club, where 8 top players go head to head. (see our facebook page for further details).

The Eagle Pipers’ Society are sponsoring the first prize in the MSR event.

Cameron Drummond is the overall defending champion and he is in this years line up to try and defend his title. As a sneak preview Cameron was our post pie piper and kicked off with a couple off 2/4 marches, starting with the great John McColl’s March to Kilbowie Cottage. A couple of strathspeys and reels were next, followed by a snippet of a wee medley that featured the strathspey, The Maids of the Black Glen, that Cameron cleverly converted into common time structure.. Great stuff and it certainly it whetted the appetite for the main event in a couple of weeks.

The final player of the night was George Campbell who gave us the piobaireachd, Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick or Patrick Caogach. George got the drones, that were on the way up, in perfectly and presented the tune just as it should be, bright and brisk. The story of the tune may be as follows-

Donald Mòr (MacCrimmon) had a brother who lived in Glenelg… who was known by the name of Patrick Caog, on account of a squint or defect in one of his eyes. This young man had a quarrel with his foster brother, a native of Kintail. Sometime after the dispute, while he was in the act of washing his face, in a burn or rivulet adjoining his dwelling, the Kintail man came behind him, and treacherously with his dirk gave him a mortal blow. 

This being made known to Donald Mòr at Dunvegan, he prepared to revenge the untimely death of his brother, and taking his pipes up to MacLeod’s room, he threw them on the bed. MacLeod surprised, demanded to know what had occurred. In few words he related to him the affair, when the laird pacified the enraged piper, and promised him, on condition of his remaining at home, to see justice done before the expiration of twelve months. 

Macleod thought that his wrathful piper would forget the cruel murder by that time, and allow his ire to abate; but such was not the case, for on the termination of the twelve months, he set out himself for Glenelg, without informing any one of his intention; and finding on his arrival there that the murderer of his brother had gone to Kintail, he pursued his journey thither.

The offender, having been apprised of his arrival, concealed himself in the house of a friend; and the inhabitants of the village not choosing to deliver him up, MacCrimmon was so enraged, that he resolved to set their houses on fire and burned eighteen of their houses, which caused the loss of several lives. (This is called Lasan Phadruig Chaog, or a flame of wrath for Squinting Peter). 

Donald then made his escape to Lord Rea’s country, where he remained for some time under the protection of Donald Duaghall Mackay.

The story certainly reflects the feeling of the music as the rage and anger clearly comes across. Great tune George and many thanks for playing it for us.

Normal meeting in a couple of weeks on Tuesday 23rd but perhaps we will see you at the Wheel of Fortune on the Sunday before?

Euan Anderson

Hon P/M

Match Report Tuesday 26th March 2024.

It was the Eagle’s turn to host our friends and neighbours, The Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society. The upstairs hall of the Scots Guards Association Club was full with an excellent turn out from both camps. An estimated figure of players taking the floor for the communal tunes was over 25, so it was ear plugs in and batten down the hatches.

After a few sets the floor was left to Pipe Major Dugald MacLeod and his charges to play a few tunes. John Fraser was on hand to help with the sound and direct the performance. ‘Jockbag’ does first class job and was in top form. The Royal Scottish started with a couple of 6/8 marches before going into a set of 3/4s, that included The Road to Passchendaele, composed by P/M Gavin Stoddart. A fine MSR followed and to conclude their spot they finished with the traditional Happy We’ve Been A’thegither.

The boys sprinted off the floor and headed to wards the bar for a well earned beer. It was perfect timing as the pies were fresh out of the oven.

While the pies were being served the Eagles tuned up and began the second half with some 3/4 marches starting with Castle Dangerous. The Eagle Pipers’ March started off the next set of 6/8’s, followed by Donald MacLeod’s, Ishabel T MacDonald. A quick tune of the drones and 3 lovely Gaelic airs followed. The Eagles finished their spot with 2-2/4 marches, The Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band and The Conundrum.

Luckily there were some pies left and it was time for some young blood to give the elder statesmen a rest. Thomas Fallon is one of the youngest members of the Eagles and is still at Stewarts Melville College He is a rising star and is doing very well in the junior ranks. He is also member of the junior band of the National Youth Pipe Band so we consider ourselves very lucky to have him in our ranks. Having settled the pipe with a slow air he started with a relatively new 6/8 from the pen of Dr Angus MacDonald, Dr Peter Pern. He followed on with a very nice MSR starting with Donald MacLellan of Rothesay. Excellent stuff.

The final tune of the night was from Dugald MacLeod who gave us the great piobaireachd , MacLeod’s Salute or The Rowing Tune. A MacLeod playing a MacLeod tune is not to be sniffed at.

The tune may have been composed about 1603 to Ruairidh Mór Macleod, Chief of the Clan, by Donald Mór MacCrimmon. The occasion being the end of a long feud between Donald Gorm and Ruairidh Mór. On a reconciliation being effected, Donald Gorn was invited by Ruairidh Mór to banquet in Dunvegan Castle. When Donald Gorm appeared in sight of the Dùn he was met by Macleod’s famous piper, Donald Mór MacCrimmon, who welcomed the Chief of the MacDonalds by playing “The MacDonalds’ Salute”, which tune he composed for the occasion. It was in connection with the same banquet that he played MacLeod’s Salute.

And with that we were done. President Douglas Gardiner gave the closing remarks and it is fact that when these two great piping bodies get together it is always a special and much treasured evening. This was no exception. Happy have we been all together indeed.

Slainte.

Euan Anderson

Hon P/M

Match Report Tuesday 12th March 2024

The match report is a little overdue as the P/M was away playing golf in Spain. From 6 to 20 degrees. However reality has come back with a vengeance and the 4 putt is now a distant memory.

The last meeting was a long blow in rehearsal for tomorrows nights joint meeting with The Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society. Tune selection was finalised and we had a good run through all the tunes. This was followed by the post pie piper, Graham Farr, who played the piobaireachd, Catherine’s Lament. Graham has been out and about in the Clasp competitions and has hoovered up a few prizes in the process. Catherine’s Lament has been kind to him. Graham got the tune from Tom Speirs and he has a clear idea of how he wants to presents it. Great tune. Well done Graham.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 26th, sees our annual joint meeting, with The Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society, hosted by the Eagles, in the Scots Guards Association Club, Haymarket Terrace,Edinburgh, starting at 20.00hrs. Drop in if you about.

Euan Anderson

Hon P/M

MND24 Fundraiser – 24 pipers needed

Dear Eagles,

I am looking for 24 pipers (including myself) willing to pipe continuously for 1 hour during March 2024.

This would be part of the MND24 challenge to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)).

The challenge is quite simple: pipe continuously for 1 hour on your chosen day/time during March 2024. Record this as evidence and for sharing clips on social media. We as a society will publish a link to a fundraising page. The catch is we need 24 pipers so we can collectively say we have piped for 24 hours.

For more details please check the link and video below: https://mnd24.com

This is a genuinely global challenge. Last year people ran, surfed and cycled for 24 hours (as well as knitting and making cocktails) from Scotland to Cuba and UAE.

It would be great to add piping to this list – and raise money to help find a cure for this horrible disease.

If you are willing, please contact me directly on: doug.gardiner1@btinternet.com

Douglas Gardiner

Match Report Tuesday 27th February 2024

The Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band, currently under the guidance of Pipe Major Lee Moore and drumming tutor Simon Grant, is a product of the pipe band programme that began in 2007, under the auspices of the East Lothian Pipes and Drums Trust, now the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust.

The Trust’s principal objective in 2007 was to help re-establish East Lothian as a centre of excellence in piping and drumming by offering free tuition to as many young people as possible.

East Lothian has a long and distinguished piping and drumming tradition. It was once an important mining area and most of the communities could boast a pipe band. As mining declined, some of the bands folded, others transformed into community bands and the county’s piping tradition was under threat. Apart from the mining community, the boys brigades, army cadet forces and scouts also played important roles encouraging and supporting piping and drumming. 

However, over time, such organisations offered fewer opportunities to learn these instruments with little instruction provided in the county’s state schools to compensate. A small but dedicated number of Pipe Majors and their supporters within the county’s seven pipe bands, kept the tradition of highland piping and drumming music alive by giving freely of their time and expertise.

The East Lothian Pipes and Drums Trust contributed significantly to this effort from 2007 by setting up tuition programmes covering schools in the Prestonpans and Haddington clusters and community pipe bands throughout East Lothian.

The tuition costs of the pipe band programme at Preston Lodge High School and associated primary schools are met by the Colonel James Gardiner Memorial Fund.

It was our pleasure on Tuesday to welcome Lee and three of his charges, Charlie Mack, Jamie Crawford and Archie Thomson, to the Eagles for a wee tune. As part of the Eagle Pipers’ tradition in supporting and promoting young talent, these evenings are viewed as one of our key pillars and they are always a highlight in our calendar.

The guys kicked off with some 6/8 marches starting with a Bobby MacLeod tune, Murdo MacKenzie of Torridon. Bright powerful chanters were complimented by nice phrasing and great technique.

The group continued with an MSR, Donald MacLean/Susan MacLeod/DJS Murray. The march was a pleasant surprise as it is not often played, but the great Peter MacLeod wrote it and it is not without technical challenges. Donald and Peter were both from Lewis and in their day were legendary figures. In his 1964 Piping Times obituary Seumas MacNeill wrote, ‘Those of us who had heard of him [P/M Donald Maclean] only vaguely were amazed to find that he was a piper of the very first rank.‘His instrument was a legend itself and few pipers could blow it. Those who did were never quite the same afterwards.’

The boys continued with a couple of 4/4 marches, At long Last, written by James MacHattie, and Horseburgh Castle. Again two tunes that are not from the mainstream repertoire.

The session was concluded with the band medley that was split into two parts. As the pies were served the large audience was still applauding in appreciation of the performance. The high quality of playing and sound was quite remarkable.

Charlie Mack

The post pie piper was young Charlie Mack, who played his MSR that started with the very musical, John MacDonalds Welcome to South Uist. This lad has a bright future as he has natural innate musical ability.

Archie Thomson was up next and he looked fearless as he trotted out his MSR starting with the Knightswood Ceilidh. Great stuff.

Archie Thomson

Jamie Crawford was our final player of the evening and he settled down with a couple of hornpipes before taking on the challenging piobaireachd, I Got a Kiss of the King’s Hand. There is no doubting his technical ability and Jamie has just started going to our own Iain Speirs for lessons, so he is in safe hands there and hopefully will go from strength to strength. 

Jamie Crawford

And with that we were done. What a fabulous night and our heartfelt thanks go to our guests. This will hopefully be the start of a regular slot for the band and we wish them well going forward into the 2024 season.

The next meeting is a practice session for the visit of the RSPS on 26th March. The tunes are on the WhatsApp group.

Euan Anderson

Hon P/M

PS Every piper’s case should have one.

Archie Kenneth Quaich 2024

Arran King receives his trophy from Music Committee Chairman Alan Forbes

This ever-popular amateur piobaireachd contest was held in the rooms of the Royal Scottish Pipers Society on 24^thFebruary. Thanks are due to them for their endless support for this contest, in rooms which are comfortable and welcoming. The bar area doubles as the final tuning room – which provides an extra bit of entertainment for those having a beer or a coffee. As ever, RSPS members did stewarding, some bar work, and helped pipers with tuning pipes (if they wished that). 

By Dr Peter McCalister

A very large entry (38) could not fit into the 25 places available so pipers went into a draw in January – and the top 25 were offered a place plus 5 reserves. In the end 21 played as there were call-off’s at the very last minute. 

I was stewarding almost all day, so I heard very few performances, but I did hear the winner, Arran King, who was asked to play the MacFarlane’s Gathering just after lunch. On a lovely bagpipe he certainly kept the tune moving. In second place, having flown from Dublin for the day, was Edmund Boland who was drawn early and played Andrew MacNeil of Colonsay. In 3^rd place was Owain Woodman Carr who was drawn to play The Little Spree , second on. This was his first ever solo contest. After he played he had to head to the Murrayfield area where he was doing a piping gig in a hotel (there was international rugby on in Edinburgh, that day), and he came back just in time for the celebrations. In 4^th place was Graham Farr (Catherine’s Lament) and 5^th was John Forbes (Lament for the Viscount of Dundee) – the latter a piper who is regularly in the prizes, here.

Other travellers from afar included Antony Kelly from Ireland, several players from England, and two Americans – Andrea Jones from North Carolina, and Thompson McConnell from Philadelphia. Thomson told me that coming over to play at this contest had been on his bucket list for a long time. Andrea said she would come over and listen each year, even if she was not drawn to play – real piping dedication, there.

As is frequently seen in this contest, some very good performances were marred by small errors that cost the piper dear. For example, one frequent prize-winner had a drone stop early in the tune. Another got lost in a very large tune (The Sound of the Waves Against the Castle of Duntroon). A few pipers got quite “tight hands” in the crunluath variations, due to nerves. Playing frequently in competition is sometimes the only way to get used to these inevitable pressures. 

The judges were Ronnie McShannon and Finlay Johnston, for the second time. They commented afterwards to the assembled competitors that spending more time on the tuning of the bagpipe on the boards would have improved several performances, as some pipers became flustered at this moment. However the standard overall was good, and the winners particularly so. Alan Forbes, Chairman of the Piobaireachd Society’s Music Committee, kindly gave out the prizes. In summary, these were:

1. Arran King
2. Edmund Boland
3. Owain Woodman Carr
4. Graham Farr
5. John Forbes

This contest is usually on the last Saturday in February, and will be advertised again for 2025, in the autumn of this year.

The Captain John A. MacLellan MBE Memorial Dinner & Recital Competition: Saturday 24th August 2024

I am pleased to confirm The Society will once again be running The Captain John A. MacLellan MBE Memorial Dinner & Recital Competition on Saturday 24th August 2024.

The venue will be The Waldorf Caledonian Hotel, Edinburgh.  Dress code is Black Tie.  We are in the process of inviting four world class pipers to play.  Tickets will be £60 and go on sale in Spring.

We are again indebted to the generous backing of The William Grant Foundation.

In the meantime, please put Saturday 24th August in your diary.

Douglas Gardiner

Match Report Tuesday 13th February 2024

Another big turn out saw around 15 pipers on the floor, including young guest player Charlie Desson, who was in town on a short holiday from school.  A good session was had before the pies came to the rescue. Draped across the bar were balloons announcing the 100th birthday of the Scots Guards Club. Keep an eye out for the centenary celebrations yet to be announced. Perhaps someone will write a tune…………..

The post pie piper was Adam Aitchison who has been playing in the amateur clasp competitions. A pupil of Ben Duncan’s, Adam is making big strides and he should have a very successful 2024. That said Adam announced that he is getting married on Saturday (17th February) so hopefully the new Mrs Aitchison is a fan of piobaireachd. Rather than play The Unjust Incarceration, Adam chose to play. I am Proud to Play a Pipe.

Commentary states that although Angus MacKay had noted the tune in his manuscript probably during the later 1830s or early 1840s, it remained unpublished until its appearance in Thomason’s Ceol Mor, and it would appear that it was little known, even amongst master pipers, during the second half of the 19th century.

Adam did the tune justice and played it as a proud celebratory piece on a fine pipe. Well done and the final salute as a single man.

In two weeks time we have Preston Lodge coming for their first visit so please come along and support them.

Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band – 27th February 2024

Euan Anderson

Hon P/M