Send us a text Gary brings you more highlights from Angus MacColl's recent recital hosted by the MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band, and invites you to eavesdrop on a couple of sets from the Celtic Spring Festival Tour in Austria Playlist Angus MacColl with the Cowal Highland Gathering, Maclean of Pennycross, 71st Highlanders, The Pap of Glencoe and Th…

Send us a text Gary reports in from his tour in Austria with some more great bagpipe music, old and new. Playlist Gary West with The Fourth Floor (private recording) Will MacMorran with Scott MacMorran’s, Trip to Nanjiang and Holston Ridge from Smallpipes Big Tunes Angus MacColl with Billy Connolly’s and the Hard Drive from MacKenzie Caledonian Pip…

Send us a text Gary visits the National Piping Centre to catch up with Director of Piping, Finlay MacDonald. And of course there's plenty of music along the way. Playlist Brighde Chaimbeul with Doronoch Links, Catriona Bheag’s and Bonnie Bonnie is the Lass from The Piper and the Maker 2: Celebrating C Finlay MacDonald and Chris Stout with Border Cr…

Send us a text With the recent publication of his new book, Brave New Music, Gary explores the life and music of the piper, classical violinist, composer and DJ, the late Martyn Bennett, and also pays tribute to the late Bill Livingstone who sadly passed away this week. Playlist 78th Fraser Highlanders with Competition Medley, World Pipe Band Champ…

Send us a text More great music and chat from the world of bagpipes, as Gary pays another visit to the bagpipe factory of RG Hardie, and explores a lovely piece of brand new music composed to celebrate the recent launch of the latest addition to the Calmac fleet, MV Glen Sannox. Playlist Ann Gray with Dirty Little Harry, The Memphis Rendezvous, The…

Send us a text Gary brings you the second instalment of his chat with Duncan Nicholson, touching on his time as pipe major of the Strathclyde Police and exploring some other musical projects he's been involved with over the years. Playlist Strathclyde Police Pipe Band with Dolina MacKay, the Goatherd and the Shepherd, The Gathering, Ho Ro 's Hug Or…

Send us a text Gary catches up with one of the great players of the pipe band and folk scene, Duncan Nicholson, who shares with us his music and memories. We chatted for so long, look out for Part 2 next week! Playlist Duncan Nicholson with He Ho Hi Rum, The Wee man who went to Stornoway, Duncan Nicholson – Private Recording Train Journey North wit…

Send us a text Gary brings you more top notch music from the world of bagpipes. Playlist Simon Fraser University with Beaches of Harris from Affirmation Andrew Carlisle with Raigmore, Donald Maclean, Jig of Slurs, Donald Cameron’s Powderhorn and Donella Beaton from The Young Ones Iain MacDonald and Iain MacFarlane with The Snuff Wife, Humours of Wh…

Send us a text Gary reports from his first ever trip to the Winter Storm gathering in Kansas City, including a chat with the most successful pipe major of all time, Richard Parkes MBE. Playlist Vale of Atholl Pipe Band with Il Paco Grande by RS MacDonald from Live n Well Murray Blair with Marlu Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band with the Hard Driv…

Send us a text Gary lends an ear to some of the great piping on offer at this year's Celtic Connections in Glasgow. Playlist Ross Miller with Richard’s Gone Bananas, That Little Bit Extra, Ton Double and Laurie the Blaster from The Roke Inveraray and District Pipe Band feat. Murray Henderson with Too Long in this Condition from A Night in that Land…

Send us a text Gary welcomes you to another year of great music from the piping world. Playlist Daimh with Puff Puff from Sula Rosalind Buda with Oran Arisaig, John Barber’s 50th and Nessie’s Rambles from Pipers’ Gathering 2018, Vol 1. The Scottish Gas Caledonian Pipe Band with The Kangaroo Interlude, The Banks of the Allan, The Lady in the Bottle,…

Send us a text In this final episode of 2024, Callum Beaumont treats us to a full recital as a recent guest of the MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band in the Woodlands Hotel , Broughty Ferry. Playlist Callum Beaumont with The Bloody Fields of Flanders, Lochanside and P/M Angus MacDonald from the MacKenzie Caledonian Recital November 2024 Callum Beaumont…

Send us a text Gary hosts a bus outing of members and friends of the Celtic Arts Foundation, Washington State, across the border to Canada. We visit Lee and Sons Bagpipes in the company of Jack and Andrew, and check out Terry and Alastair Lee's Tartantown emporium, where we're treated to some bagpipe music of the highest order. Playlist Jack Lee wi…

Send us a text Chilled, laid back and understated is the vibe this week as Gary brings you plenty more great music from the world of bagpipes. Playlist Beolach with Kilts on Fire from All Hands Mike Katz and Alasdair Whyte with Let the Bottle Circulate from Best Sets Bob Worrall with Bruce Gandy’s Farewell to the Iron Horse and Haligan Street from …

Send us a text There's a strong New Zealand representation this week, with three musical visits to that nation, and plenty more excellent piping from Scotland too. And there's a great set of tunes on the moothie! Tune in to be amazed! Playlist James Duncan MacKenzie with The Morrisons’ Wedding March John and Jill’s Welcome to Jura from Fibhig Bill …

Send us a text As it turns a touch wintry in Scotland, warm yourself up by moving your feet to some more top class music from the world of bagpipes. Playlist Tannahill Weavers with Turf Lodge, The Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Welcome to Shetland, Lady Margaret Stewart and the Flaggon from Dancing Feet Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band with the Inverness Gat…

Send us a text Another hour of top drawer music from the bothy. Playlist Breabach with The Braes of Mellenish, The Poetic Milkman, the Milkman’s Bridge and Ray Anderson from Urlar John MacDougall with The Braes of Castle Grant and the 74th’s Farewell to Edinburgh from the World’s Greatest Pipers Vol 8. Chris Stout and Finlay MacDonald with Algiers …

Send us a text Gary brings you more great tunes from a the airts - well from Scotland, England and Canada to be precise! Playlist Rura with The Boys from Ballydowse and The Smasher from Despite the Dark P/M Iain Morrison with Jack Aloft and the Rakes of Kildare from Back to Back Martyn Bennett with Swallowtail from Martyn Bennett Eddie Seaman feat.…

Send us a text Gary makes a return visit to the bagpipe factory of RG Hardie, and brings you plenty more great music along the way, with a wee trick or treat thrown in for good measure. Playlist Daimh with Ronald MacKenzie of Milton and Mabou, Stormy Hill and Maili Ceit’s Jig from Tuneship Vale of Atholl Pipe Band with Il Paco Grande from Live in W…

Send us a text Gary brings you more great bagpipe tunes from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Galicia. Playlist Lorne MacDougall with Trip to Aviles, Atlantic Bridge, The Sound of Sleat and Atlantic Bridge from Hello World Jack Lee with Tom Wilson, the 24th Guards Brigade at Anzio, The Homewrecker, The Brolum and the High Road to Linton from the Pipin…

Send us a text Gary brings you more fine music of the bagpipe kind from his extensive collection. Playlist Chris Gray with LA’s Welcome to Thwale from Chris Gray Roddy MacLeod with Willie Gray’s Farewell to the Glasgow Police and Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban from the World’s Greatest Pipers Vol 6 James Duncan MacKenzie with Theid Mi Dhachaidh,…

Send us a text More pipe music from a the airts as Gary delves into his collection once more for your delectation and delight! Playlist Rory Campbell with Cotton Eyed from Intrepid John Wilson with Traditional Air, Hugh Kennedy and Inveran from The World’s Greatest Pipers Vol 5. Greater Glasgow Police Pipe Band feat. Rachel Walker with Fraoch a Ron…

Send us a text Join Gary as he shines a light on those pipers who tend to be labelled 'file under folk'. Playlist Music in the Glen with The Sweetheart Reel, Aisling’s Wedding, Brosnan’s Reel and Mrs Crehan’s from Music in the Glen Kenneth and Angus MacKenzie with Iain MacDonald with Bodach nan Tri Ordagan from Ceol Mhor Ostaig The Battlefield Band…

Send us a text Gary brings you highlights of the inaugural piping contest on the Island of Raasay, organised by Hamish Moore, sponsored by the Isle of Raasay Distillery, which celebrates the Gaelic cultural roots of piping. Playlist Field Marshall Montgomery with their Medley from the World Pipe Band Championships 1992 Decker Forrest with Tog Orm m…

Send us a text Gary reports on recent events in Braemar, Raasay and Brittany and brings you great music from Highland, Uillean and Northumbrian pipes. And look out for some congregational Psalm singing too! Playlist The Angus Nicholson Trio with the Primrose Lass from Sealladh Ard P/M Ian Duncan with the Braemar Gathering, John D Burgess and Miss L…

Send us a text Gary brings you more top drawer music from the world of piping and drumming, and pays tribute to two stalwarts of our community who sadly passed away recently, P/M Malcolm MacKenzie and former Solo Drumming World Champion, Joe Noble. Playlist Trail West with Wait Til I Tell Ucca from Countless Isles and Endless Miles Niall Matheson w…

Send us a text Gary brings you all four performances from this year's Captain John A MacLellan MBE Piobaireachd Recital held in Edinburgh on 24th August. With tunes from Callum Beaumont, Iain Speirs, Stuart Liddell MBE and Ian K MacDonald. Playlist Callum Beaumont with The Phantom Piper of Corrieyairack Ian Speirs with Farewell to the Queen's Ferry…

Send us a text Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 2024 World Pipe Band Championships from Glasgow Green. Support the showAf Gary West

Send us a text Join Gary as he brings you this year's live EYP show from the Street Cafe at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, with sets from Cameron Bonar, Hazel Whyte, Austin Diepenhorst and Swedish mulit-instrumentalists, Dråm. Playlist to follow! Support the showAf Gary West

Send us a text Gary chats to Florida-based Eric Stein about his plans to develop a pan-European solo piping contest, and looks ahead to this year's Piping Live festival which takes place in Glasgow next week. Playlist Fred Morrison Trio with the Train Journey North from Live at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Seudan with the Tulloch Gorm Set from Se…

Send us a text Gary brings you more delights of the bagpipe kind with the top performances from the inaugural Gordon Duncan Memorial Kitchen Piping Contest from Washington State, and also pays tribute to 'The Captain' - Ken Eller from Ontario, who passed away recently. Playlist Ross Miller with D Major MacKenzie, Rona’s Reel and Mornington from The…

Send us a text Gary reports on the piping culture of the USA from his Boston hotel room! Playlist Ben Miller and Anita MacDonald with Oh as I was Kissed Yestreen, The Black-haired lad, Sweet Molly and The Primrose Lass from A Day at the Lake Adrian Melvin with Hills of Kintail, Donnie MacGregor, The Kitchenmaid and Donella Beaton from Unplugged Mik…

Send us a text Gary brings you top drawer pipe music from Scotland, Ireland and the USA. Playlist Iain MacInnes with Lt Col DJS Murray, The Treadmill and Spark’s Rant from Sealbh John D Burgess with Lord Alexander Kennedy, Tulloch Gorm and Mrs MacPherson of Inveran from King of the Highland Pipers Stephanie Makem and Tiarnan o Duinnchinn with Lough…

Send us a text There might not be much sign of summer yet here in Scotland but we carry on regardless with another eclectic mix of all things bagpipe. Playlist Cantrip with Ian Green of Greentrax, Whistle O’er the Lave o It, The Ramnee Ceilidh and the Hare of the Dog from Boneshaker Bruce Gandy with the Abercairney Highlanders, Arniston Castle and …

Send us a text Gary introduces highlights from a recent top solo contest in Delaware, USA, and catches up with news from sponsors, RG Hardie Bagpipes. Playlist Breabach with The Old Collection from Fas Cameron Macdougall with The Ross-shire Volunteers, Tulloch Gorm, and Loch Carron from The United States Piping Foundation, Maclean Macleod Memorial …

Send us a text After a week off, Gary returns refreshed and armed with another bumper selection of all things bagpipes. Playlist Xavier Boderiou, Sylvain Barou and Antoine Lahay with Wedding Reels from Liamm. Roddy MacLeod with The Taking of Beaumont Hamel, The Shepherd’s Crook and the Smith of Chilliechassie from Pipers of Distinction: Roderick J …

Send us a text Gary pays tribute to all those involved in D Day exactly 80 years ago, and remembers the wonderful voice of the late Rod Paterson, who died last week. Playlist Mike Katz with The Best Englishman, Chase the Train and Mr MacKinnon of Corry from A Month of Sundays Alasdair Gillies with Mrs John MacColl, Tulloch Castle and Dr MacPhail’s …

Send us a text There's plenty of variety this week as Gary dips once more into his extensive collection of piping sounds from around the world. Playlist Old Blind Dogs with Bunker Hill Set from Room With a View Willie Morrison with The Right Honourable Allan J MacEachan, Sandy Thomson of Alva and Ludovic Morrison’s Favourite from Pipers of Distinct…

Send us a text Gary brings you an eclectic mix of top drawer music drawn from his collection of all things bagpipe. Playlist The Iron Horse with The Goatherd, The Major’s Maggot, James MacLellan’s Favourite, Duncan the Gauger and The Piper’s Bonnet from Thro’ Water, Earth and Stone St Lawrence O’Toole Pipe Band with Joe Cooley’s Hornpipe, Joe Coole…

Send us a text Gary celebrates the music and legacy of the late Gordon Duncan, who would have been 60 this week. Playlist Gordon Duncan with Galician Jig, Blow My Chanter and the Famous Baravan from The Circular Breath The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience with Pitlochry High School Centenary from Foxie Laddie Scotrail Vale of Atholl. Archie Mac…

Send us a text Join Gary as he takes you on another eclectic piping journey across Scotland and beyond. Playlist Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton with Wan from Symbiosis 1 John Wilson with 93rd Highlanders at Modder River, Maggie Cameron and Major David Manson from The World’s Greatest Pipers Volume 5 Malin Lewis with Hiraeth from Halocline Shotts and D…

Send us a text Gary pays tribute to the late Fergie MacDonald, the Ceilidh King, who passed away recently. There's more sets from this year's Wheel of Fortune competition, and a brand new award-winning pibroch from Regina's Iain MacDonald. Playlist Fergie MacDonald with Highland Jigs from The Ceilidh King Angus Nicholson with Cearcal a Chuain, Dunc…

Send us a text Gary invites you to a ringside seat to take in this year's Wheel of Fortune contest held at the Danderhall Miners' Club in Midlothian on the 21st of April 2024. This is one of the most exciting and imaginative competitions in the piping calendar, and produced some wonderful music again this year. And you can hear it exclusively here …

Send us a text Tracks Played Daimh with Ida’s Jig from Diversions St Lawrence O’Toole Pipe Band with the Donegal Lass set from Turas Ceoil – Resume, Live in Glasgow 2018. Alastair Hanning with the Lament for Glencoe, Highland Harry, Thomson’s Dirk from the City of Wellington Highland Pipe Band. Skiltron with Bagpipes of War from The Highland Way Br…

Send us a text Gary invites you to travel with him to explore some of the people, places and tunes associated with the Isle of Lewis, including a visit to the home and workshop of piper and reed-maker, James Duncan MacKenzie. Tracks The Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band with The Ness Pipers Set from Impact – Live at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall…

Send us a text Gary celebrates the fact that EYP is a year old this week, with another eclectic mix of tunes and styles from the world of bagpipes. Tracks Played Ross Miller with The Candlewood Suites Reel, Restalrig Road and Molly Rankin’s from The Restalrig Reels Stuart Liddell with Gaelic Air and Reels from Inveroran Scottish Power Pipe Band wit…

Send us a text Gary brings you the winning performances from the B Grade MSR at last weekend's Duncan Johnstone Memorial contest in Glasgow. Tracks Played Ross Connor with Morag Ramsay, Cat Lodge and Little Cascade, EYP Recording Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham with Father John MacMillan of Barra from Five and Twenty Cameron May with the Duke of Roxbu…

Send us a text Gary brings you highlights of the 'Accents' concert held at the National Piping Centre on 14th March. Tune in for some wonderful music on highland pipes, smallpipes, border pipes, clarsach, viola, guitar and piano from some of Scotland and Ireland's finest emerging traditional musicians. Thanks to my sponsor, RG Hardie Bagpipes Playl…

Send us a text Gary celebrates the contribution made to Scotland's music by Ian Green of Greentrax Recordings, who passed away this week, and is joined by Ian's friend, pipe maker, musician and promoter, Hamish Moore, who shares his memories of Ian and also tells us all about an exciting new competition he is organising on the island of Raasay. Pla…

Send us a text Gary introduces more top drawer music of the bagpipe as he looks ahead to some of the live piping events which can be heard across Scotland in the weeks ahead as we move towards a new season. Tracks Fraser Fifield with The Old Road o Lumphanan from One Great Circle Drums and Pipes and Regimental Band of the Gordon Highlanders with Hi…