Piping Perfection - established 1980

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November Newsletter

Dear Piping Enthusiast,

The piping season is in a slight lull now in the Northern Hemisphere after a busy season. The Glenfiddich championship, which is the pinnacle of the solo piping world, has recently finished as has the important Scottish Piping Society of London contest. Both are always a great event for pipers who renew friendships and enjoy a myriad of events. I can't think of another contest beyond that of London that has so many events on the go during the day. It must be a devil to organise and so hats off to these Londoners who are completely on the ball.

I popped along to the Piping Centre in Glasgow to hear a talk from the recent recipient of the Balvenie Medal for Services to Piping - P/M Sandy Jones from North America. Sandy was honoured for all his teaching work over 50 years. I'd heard of Sandy years ago but it was nice to see such an unassuming guy in person. He gave the impression that he would help anyone to learn irrespective of the level of their ability. He produced a tutor book some years back focussing of the way he taught which seemed quite different to the conventional approach. Colin MacLellan, who is now the Director of the College of Piping, hoped that Sandy would produce another book explaining more of his methods. This is a good idea and one which will preserve his methodology.

Yours aye,

James C. Begg

Piping Perfection

News

Well done to Jack Lee on being crowned Glenfiddich champion for 2017. Jack is an interesting guy and I've enjoyed his chat on occasions. I am glad to have had a good rapport with the Lee brothers, Terry and Jack, over the years and both have done so much for piping in the World generally and in British Columbia specifically. Another friend, Roddy MacLeod took the main prize in London of the Bratach Gorm (Blue Banner) for the 8th time and was runner-up in the Glenfiddich to Jack.

We will be welcoming the Lomond and Clyde Band into the Begg bag fold shortly. P/M Wilton is looking forward to Grade 1 this coming year and has chosen the world's best bags - just like the Glasgow Skye PB who are also going into grade 1. I'm going to be a busy, little Santa's elf - how good is that?!

You will see in the Field report below a new innovation for our Newsletter in the form of a link to a couple of videos. This is a bit of a trial and if it is well received, we will look at developing the concept. Please let us know what you think by emailing bill@beggbagpipes.com

Top Tip

It is of interest to note how many players use a split stock today - they are very common and we are supplying a lot. Strangely enough, they have been around for a while and previously didn't take off - that's piping for you. The other item in the same category which is worth mentioning is the trap dri, which is quite simple but works well in conjunction with the water tube trap. It's fitted in the middle of the tube and effectively acts as a double moisture trap. Please get in touch if you would like some more information or clarification on the split stock and trap dri.

More tips to follow in future issues and of course, if you have any  bright ideas you would like to share with our readers, please do forward them.

Special Offer - Practice Chanters 20% off.

Field Report 1 - Argyll                                                                                                          

I recently had the pleasure of a long weekend with my two brothers and a springer spaniel in a superb cottage at the head of Loch Riddon in Argyll. This "secret coast" offers stunning scenery, wildlife and sporting activities and is well worth a visit. Check out the amazing sunrise in the photo. Our attempts on landing an Atlantic salmon or a lively sea trout on the fly from the River Ruel proved rather fruitless on this occasion but a good time was had never-the-less.

A Begg Bagpipes Première

As musicians, no trip of course is complete without a tune or two and so it was. From high up overlooking Glendaruel, it seemed appropriate to play some music from this area and this was recorded. Since we started this Newsletter in 2008, you have heard lots of chat from James  - now catch him in person Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk!!

Please check out the links to hear some background to the region and some fine tunes. Glendaruel Part 1 Glendaruel Part 2

Field Report 2 - New Premises

The new premises are settling down well. I put up some shelving (not without some difficulty!) but like all location moves of this nature, there is still more to do. Rome as they say was not built in a day. As you see in the photo, my daughter helps me on Thursdays. She has just started a B.Sc in Civil Engineering at Strathclyde University and has a little bit of spare time between her studies.