Explore every episode of the podcast Enjoy Your Piping! With Gary West
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 123 - Chasing the Sun | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:58:24 | |
Join Gary as he brings you both cheery and melancholy tunes and songs from Scotland and well beyond. Playlist Cantrip with the Duncan Johnstone Set from Undark Jack Lee with 93rd at Modder River, Susan MacLeod and the Little Cascade from The Piping Centre 1996 Recital Series Vol 1 Simon Fraser University Pipe Band with Tir Nan Og from Affirmation Archie Fisher with The Lassie o the Mornin from Off the Map The People’s Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band with the Drum Fanfare from EYP Recording Band Practice.
Simon Chadwick with An Tarbh Breac Dearg (the Red Speckled Bull) from Tarbh.
Hevia with Busindre Reel from Tierra de Nadie / No Man’s Land
Skerryvore with the Rut and the Drambulance from Chasing the Sun
Cantrip Tour Dates 6 Nov Buckman Performing Arts Centre, Memphis, TN | |||
| Episode 122 - This is How the Ladies Dance | 29 Oct 2025 | 01:02:56 | |
Gary takes you on another musical journey in the company of all things bagpipes. Playlist Eabhal with This is How the Ladies Dance, Stoddies Reel, Break in Borve and St Valery Pipes from This is How the Ladies Dance
Stuart Liddell with The Highland Wedding and The Cameronian Rant from The P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2021.
Julian Goodacre with The Saunt from Some of Me Pipes
Donald Black with Spogan from From My Heart
Donald Black with The Melness Reel, Raven’s Rock and Traditional Reel from From My Heart
Polkemmet Grorud Pipe Band with The Hen’s March, The Flame in the Fiddle and Castles in the Fire from From Celtic Roots
Beinn Lee with Davy Webster’s 40th, Clueless, Andy Renwick’s Ferret and The Ferry Road Shenanigans from Osgarra
Gary West with The Stirlingshire Militia, Brig. Gen. Ronald Cheape of Tiroran and Drum Major Alister Walker, Atholl Highlanders from the MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band Recital Evening October 2025
Gary West and Chris Wright with The Last Trip Home the MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band Recital Evening October 2025
Arise and Go with Major George Morrison DSO, The Acadian Reel, Le Voyage and Jack Daniels’ from Meeting Place
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| Episode 113 - EYP at Piping Live 2025 | 13 Aug 2025 | 00:53:23 | |
Gary invites you to this year's Piping Live Festival in Glasgow to eavesdrop on his 78th Fraser Highlanders Live in Ireland 'listening party'. Playlist to follow | |||
| Episode 23 - Pipes and Pubs | 21 Sep 2023 | 00:52:22 | |
Gary brings you tunes from Angus MacColl, Ann Gray, Shotts and Dykehead, Hecla, Hamish Moore, the Vale of Atholl and a folk classic from Dick Gaughan. And there are musical visits to the Cobblestone Bar in Dublin and the Railway Tavern, Perth. | |||
| Episode 22 - The Piper o Dunkeld | 13 Sep 2023 | 01:06:16 | |
More great tunes and tales of all things bagpipes, including the story behind the house for sale in Dunkeld, Perthshire, which was built in the 18th century for the piper to the Duke of Atholl. He led quite an interesting life! There's sets too from Llan de Cubel, John Patrick, Stuart Liddell, and Clan Alba, a song from Silly Wizard, pipe tunes on the moothie from Donald Black, and extracts from the marvellously powerful music suite, The Bruce 700, commissioned in 2014 by Stirling Council to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn. Clan Alba with the Clan Alba March, Lexy MacAskill, Latha Siubhal Beinne Dhomh, The Hawk from Clan Alba | |||
| Episode 21 - Cheery Tunes | 06 Sep 2023 | 00:56:03 | |
Gary introduces more top drawer music of the bagpipe variety, with sets from Seanaidh MacIntyre and Ewen Henderson, Cantrip, Alasdair Gillies, Megan Henderson - and himself! And listen out for a new initiative - our first 'Listener's Slot' - a lovely smallpipes suite which comes from Rob Menzies of British Columbia. | |||
| Episode 20 - Purely Piobaireachd: Celebrating Captain John | 30 Aug 2023 | 01:30:14 | |
It's piobaireachd all the way this week as Gary introduces music he recorded at the Captain John A MacLellan MBE Piobaireachd Recital and Dinner held recently in Edinburgh. This annual event celebrates the piobaireachd compositions of the late Captain John, one of the few prolific composers of this music from the 20th century. With tunes from Iain Speirs, Finlay Johnstone, Nick Hudson and Willie McCallum. it's a bumper episode - enjoy! | |||
| Episode 19 - The Bothy Sessions 1 Featuring inB | 23 Aug 2023 | 00:59:16 | |
Gary welcomes the brand new bellows-pipe quartet, inB, to perform the very first Bothy Session from the shores of the Firth of Forth. Top uillean pipers Louise Mulcahy and Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn team up with Brighde Chaimbeul and Fin Moore on Scottish smallpipes to create a stunning blend of music from both sides of the Irish Sea. This is their very first recording project - a major scoop for EYP! And there's news and roundups from this year's Piping Live festival and the World Pipe Band Championships. inB with Maol Donaidh, Farewell to Decorum (Hamish Moore) and Rakish Paddy | |||
| Episode 18 Live from Piping Live! | 17 Aug 2023 | 00:58:34 | |
Gary presents the podcast in front of a live audience in the Street Cafe at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow as part of the Piping Live Festival. With sets from Finlay MacDonald, John Mulhearn, Andy May, Estonians Catlin and Marko Magi, and the wonderful uillean pipes and Scottish smallpipes quartet, InB. | |||
| Episode 17 - It's All Happening in August | 09 Aug 2023 | 01:09:55 | |
Gary looks ahead to a range of live events across the central belt of Scotland as we reach the sharp end of the piping season with Piping Live in Glasgow and the Fringe in Edinburgh. There's new music from Mark Saul, and timeless tunes from Angus MacColl, Gordon Duncan, Gordon Mooney, and Polkemmet Grorud Pipe Band. And Westie's Wildcard returns with an imaginary trip to the Yukon in the company of the Lochee Bard himself, the late Michael Marra. | |||
| Episode 16 - Vermont | 02 Aug 2023 | 01:05:34 | |
Join Gary from his unscheduled stopover in an airport hotel in Washington DC for the latest instalment of EYP! He had been teaching on the Cairdeas smallpipes course in Vermont, and you can tune in here to hear all about it. With session music, brand new albums and tunes from past instructors, plus plenty of chat - they don't half enjoy their piping in Vermont! | |||
| Episode 15 - The Skagit Valley Highland Games | 19 Jul 2023 | 01:02:18 | |
Gary reports back from his trip to Washington State in the North West of the USA where he helped to host the Skagit Valley Highland Games. There's music from Willie McCallum, Daimh, Tim Edey & Ross Ainslie, the Masters of Scottish Arts, as well as a quartet featuring Fin Moore, Brighde Chaimbeul, Ross Ainslie (again!) and Gary himself. And there's plenty chat and craic too, as he catches up with old friends and new. | |||
| Episode 14 - Blues Harp Bagpipes | 05 Jul 2023 | 00:55:28 | |
Join Gary for the latest instalment of his podcast which features an incredible piece of percussive blues harp playing from Mike Whellans in partnership with the smallpipes of Battlefield Band piper, Mike Katz. Sadly Mike Whellans passed away last week, so we play this in tribute to his 6 decades of contribution to the music scene in Scotland and beyond. There are tunes too from the St Lawrence O'Toole Pipe Band, from their pipe major Allen Tully in solo mode, and from the folk band Pipedown, and much more besides. | |||
| Episode 112 - An Atlantic Odyssey | 06 Aug 2025 | 01:03:25 | |
Gary brings you more top drawer music from the world of bagpipes, including extracts from a production commemorating the emigration of 1500 people from the Hebrides to Canada in 1923. Playlist Trail West with Francis Street Jig, The Travers and P/M Jimmy MacGregor from From the Sea to the City Martyn Bennett with The Magic Flute from the Grand Concert of Piping
The Metagama Ensemble with extracts from Metagama: an Atlantic Odyssey (MacGregor’s Weeping, Murdo MacAskill’s, Am Braighe and The Lewis Society).
James Duncan MacKenzie with Lament for the Iolaire from James Duncan MacKenzie
Nick Hudson with Patrick Og MacCrimmon’s Lament from the USPF MacLean MacLeod Memorial Contest 2025. Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band with Clan MacRae, Atholl Cummers and MacAllister’s Dirk from 12000 Miles
Links Captain John A MacLellan Memorial Dinner Tickets Metagama: An Atlantic Odyssey CD and for info and tour dates see here Gary at the Edinburgh International Book Festival
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| Episode 13 - Donald and Mary | 28 Jun 2023 | 00:56:31 | |
Gary brings you more top drawer piping from across Scotland and well beyond, with news and the winning performance from the European Pipe Band Championships held recently in Aberdeen. He samples the brand new release from Daimh, takes you on some rambles to the sound of the uillean piping of John McSherry, while Jack Lee treats us to a fine set recorded live in Seattle. Meanwhile, Lorne MacDougall pops up to say Hello World. This week's centre piece is a marvellous performance of the Lament for Mary Macleod from one of the most successful pipers of all time, Donald MacPherson. Jack Lee with The Men Of Argyll (John MacLellan), Jamie MacInnes' Ceilidh, Pipe Major George Allan (Donald Macleod) from Masters of Scottish Arts, Live in Concert, Volume 1. | |||
| Episode 12 - The Bagpipe Factory | 21 Jun 2023 | 01:01:32 | |
Gary visits the bagpipe makers RG Hardie in Glasgow and takes you on a tour of their workshops to see how the instruments we play and the uniforms we wear start their lives. And look out for an exciting announcement too! There's music from two bands who have won over twenty world titles between them - Muirhead and Sons, and Field Marshall Montgomery, as well as tunes from Fraser Fifield, the Ghillies and the Cape Breton pairing of Jamie MacInnis and Paul MacNeil.
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| Episode 11 - Wee Bits of Everything | 14 Jun 2023 | 00:56:48 | |
Gary brings you another eclectic mix of sounds and tunes, including the winning performance at the recent UK Pipe Band Championships from the People's Ford Boghall and Bathgate. There's sets too from North American fiddle and border pipes duo, Ben Miller and Anita MacDonald, from stalwarts of the English folk scene, Blowzabella, top drawer pibroch playing from Bruce Gandy, a double header visit to Brittany in the company of the Unusual Suspects and the Bagad Brieg, and exquisite highland piping from Matt MacIsaac. | |||
| Episode 10 - Bo | 08 Jun 2023 | 00:50:16 | |
Gary pays musical tribute to long-term friend and stalwart of the pipe band scene, Drum Major Alister 'Bo' Walker of both the Vale of Atholl and Atholl Highlanders pipe bands who sadly passed away this week after a long battle with illness. There are tunes too from the Simon Fraser University pipe band, from top uillean piping duo, Tiarnan O Duinnchinn and Cillian Vallely, from Australian 'modern piping' guru, Lincoln Hilton, and there's an upbeat cheery Fandango from Galician all-rounder, Christina Pato. Rounding off this week's menu, there's a very fine piece of musical storytelling from the Battlefield Band's vintage album, Anthem For the Common Man. | |||
| Episode 9 - Names and Places | 31 May 2023 | 01:08:06 | |
Gary brings you exclusive highlights from this year's main piping concert at Celtic Connections, held in the main auditorium of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Names and Places is a full length suite composed in the late 1980s by Martin Hughes and Ian Kirkpatrick of the band, Eclipse First, and was (we reckon) the first to be conceived specifically for the combination of pipe band and folk group. The piping and drumming on the original album was provided by members of the Vale of Atholl, some of whom returned to join an all star cast in this re-working of the piece led by musical director, Lorne MacDougall. Also on the menu this week, we catch up on results from last weekend's Atholl Gathering in Perthshire, and hear a magnificent rendition of the Lament for the Viscount of Dundee by Roddy Macleod as well as a little of the background to the tune from Gary. | |||
| Episode 8 - Finlay MacDonald on Piping Live 2023 | 24 May 2023 | 00:57:48 | |
Gary chats to the Director of the National Piping Centre, Finlay MacDonald, about life in charge of one of the main piping institutions in the world, and about plans for this year's 20th Piping Live festival in August. With music from Fraser Fifield, Angus MacColl, Willie McCallum, Alasdair Gillies, Ross Ainslie and Tim Edey, as well as from Finlay himself in partnership with that fine Shetland fiddler, Chris Stout. | |||
| Episode 7 - Westering Home | 17 May 2023 | 01:01:55 | |
Gary brings you another eclectic mix of pipe music and related sounds from across the globe including 3 tracks from the album of the week, 'Westering Home', recorded in Washington State in 2019 and featuring some of the world's top pipers and drummers. There's tunes too from Hamish Moore, from Willie Clancy, Breton 'supergroup' Den, and from those urban Gaels, Trail West, and a lovely Gaelic song from Lewis native, Calum Alex MacMillan who accompanies himself on smallpipes - not an easy thing to do, but he does it so well!
Links | |||
| Episode 6 - Eurovision Bagpipes Special! | 10 May 2023 | 00:57:36 | |
In this week of Eurovision Song Contest mania, Gary explores some of the bagpipe traditions of Europe which continue to flourish across the continent. With visits to Sardinia, Greece, Bulgaria, France, Galicia, Asturias, Northumbria, Ireland and Scotland. | |||
| Episode 5 - The Wheel of Fortune | 03 May 2023 | 01:04:16 | |
Gary brings you the winning performances from the recent Wheel of Fortune contest run by the City of Edinburgh Pipe Band, with sets from Cameron Drummond, Craig Sutherland and King of the Jokers, John Mulhearn! There's a classic pipe band track from 1979 which features one of our listeners performing with the Triumph Street Pipe Band from British Columbia who lifted the world drumming title that day in Nottingham. There's a sparkling set on uillean pipes from Calum Stewart, and look out too for our first piobaireachd of this new podcast, Roddy MacLeod playing an appropriate tune for Coronation week - the King's Taxes! | |||
| Episode 4. The Anzacs and the Jocks | 26 Apr 2023 | 00:58:26 | |
Gary helps to mark Anzac day, and reflects on the experiences of those who fought in the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War. As well as the troops of Australia and New Zealand, many Scottish regiments saw action there too, some of whom shared their stories with the late Jock Duncan, and which we now share with you. We also pay tribute to the late Jock Elliot of G1 Reeds and the Inveraray and District Pipe Band, who sadly passed away recently.
The Book, Jock's Jocks, is available from the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust at
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| Episode 111 - Piping Live 2025 Preview | 30 Jul 2025 | 01:02:08 | |
Gary takes a look ahead to this year's Piping Live festival running in Glasgow from 11th - 17th August. Playlist Cala with Dusty from From the River Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia with Show Time from Rise
Mairearad Green and Rachel Newton with Ceit Bheag from Anna Bhan
Gordon Duncan with Donal Og / Wild Irishman / Rakish Paddy / Madame Bonaparte / Richard Dwyers from Just For Seumas
Kyiv Ethno Trio with the Raven from Kyiv Ethno Trio
inB with Bochd Liath nan Godhar (or The Maids of Kintail) and The Rock / O’Sullivan’s from the Bothy Sessions 1 Wolfstone with Hector the Hero from Unleashed
Links For information on the James Scott Skinner memorial statue campaign contact charlie_ritchie@hotmail.com Shotts and Dykehead Solas Concert
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| Episode 3 - Music and Chat with Brighde Chaimbeul | 19 Apr 2023 | 01:08:14 | |
Gary chats with Brighde Chaimbeul, one of the most innovative and exciting musicians to have emerged in Scotland in recent years. Brighde explains the thinking and the influences behind her brand new album, Carry Them With Us , a collaboration with experimental saxophonist, Colin Stetson. As well as sampling the delights of that, we also dip into another wonderful new album, Diad, from Tim Edey and Ross Ainslie. There's sets too from the Scottish Gas Caledonia Pipe Band, from Willie McCallum and from Breton pipe maker and musician, Xavier Boderiou. | |||
| Episode 2 In Conversation with Fin Moore | 12 Apr 2023 | 01:03:48 | |
Gary chats to piper, pipe maker, teacher and composer, Fin Moore, about his music, craftmanship and his new project, an album featuring instruments all made by himself and his father, Hamish Moore, entitled The Piper and Maker 2: Celebrating C. Track 3 Seudan with The Rothiemurchas Rant, Alex Currie’s, Lord MacDonald, Cota Mor Ealasaid, Hamish the Carpenter, The Margaree Reel (all trad, arr. Seudan, Grian Music) from Seudan, Greentrax Recordings
Links Mentioned https://www.thebigrabshow.com/
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| Episode 1 Welcome! | 30 Mar 2023 | 00:44:48 | |
Track 2
Scots Radio. www.scotsradio.com
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| Episode 110 - Ruffled Feather | 23 Jul 2025 | 00:53:04 | |
Gary is back in the bothy after a few weeks on the road - join him for some more top drawer piping from a the airts. Playlist Breabach with Knees Up from Frenzy of the Meeting Simon Fraser University Pipe Band with The Drunken Landlady, Throw the Beetle At Her, Brendan Murphy's, Suo Gan, Nellie's Strathspey, The Fiddler's Joy, Put Me In the Big Chest, Calum Iain, Little Cascade and The Phantom Phiddler from the Skagit Valley Highland Games, WA, 2025.
Matthew Turnbull with Downtown Dog Lounge from Ruffled Feathers Eilidh Shaw and Ross Martin with Tune for Keith from Birl-Esque Angus Nicholson with Lady Madelina Sinclair, Glen Tilt Lodge, O Mhisg a’chuir a Nollaig Oirnn, The Lads of Mull, The Gladstone Reel, Calum Finlay and Cpt Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree from The Raasay, September 2024, recorded by Mike Vass. 78th Fraser Highlanders with Journey to Skye from Live in Ireland.
Ross Miller with The Dedication Jigs (single 2024)
Links Simon Fraser University Pipe Band on Youtube EYP at Piping Live event - 78th Fraser Highlanders Live in Ireland Listening Party | |||
| Episode 109 - Glenfiddich Champions' Recital from the Celtic Arts Foundation | 16 Jul 2025 | 01:00:46 | |
Gary introduces a recital from three of the world's top players who gathered at the Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington. Sit back and enjoy sets from Callum Beaumont, Willie McCallum and Stuart Liddell. Playlist Callum Beaumont with Pipe Major Bob Martin, Lord Lovat’s Lament and Killiecrankie from the Glenfiddich Champions Recital, Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA. Callum Beaumont with the Cameronian Rant and Drumlithie from the Glenfiddich Champions Recital, Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA. Callum Beaumont with Anada Pa Gael, Breton Air, The Little Cascade, Smelling Fresh and Frances Morton’s from the Glenfiddich Champions Recital, Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA.
Willie McCallum with Walter Douglas MBE, 8th Argyll’s Farewell to the 116th Regiment de La Ligne at Basincourt and My Dream Valley on the Road to Glendaruel from the Glenfiddich Champions Recital, Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA.
Willie McCallum with the Glasgow Skye Association Centenary Gathering, Duncan Lamont and the Angler from the Glenfiddich Champions Recital, Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA.
Willie McCallum with The Last Dram with Sky, Alexander MacAskill of Bernara and Over to Uist from the Glenfiddich Champions Recital, Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA.
Stuart Liddell with Bonnie Dundee, Hot Punch and the Atholl Highlanders from the Glenfiddich Champions Recital, Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA.
Stuart Liddell with The Ceilidh Lines and Jimmy Blue from the Glenfiddich Champions Recital, Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA.
Stuart Liddell with Hector the Hero, Jig of Slurs and The Mason’s Apron from the Glenfiddich Champions Recital, Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA.
Callum Beaumont, Willie McCallum and Stuart Liddell with Crossing the Minch and Sky from the Glenfiddich Champions Recital, Celtic Arts Foundation, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA.
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| Episode 108 - Troy's Wedding | 09 Jul 2025 | 01:01:31 | |
Gary reports in from Duncan, Vancouver Island, bringing you music and chat from British Columbia and well beyond. Playlist John Dew with The Ruins of Gylen Castle from Na Caismeachdan Andrew Carlisle with Mrs John MacColl, Inverarary Castle and Dr MacPhail’s Reel from the MacLean MacLeod Memorial Piping Contest 2025. Brighde Chaimbeul with A’Chailleach from Sunwise
Derek Midgley with MacLean of Pennycross, Mrs Donald MacPherson and Arnish Light from the MacLean MacLeod Memorial Piping Contest 2025. Stuart Liddell with Troy’s Wedding Waltz from Mid West Highland Arts Fund Winter Storm 2006 Ossian with Troy’s Wedding from Borders Links John Dew Pre-Order the New Album John Dew Pre-Order the Single Red Castle John Dew link to Bandcamp Brighde Chaimbeul new album Sunwise | |||
| Episode 107 - The Maclean MacLeod Memorial Championships 2025 | 02 Jul 2025 | 01:05:48 | |
Gary brings you highlights from this year's MacLean MacLeod Memorial Piping Championships held recently at the University of Delaware, and run by the United States Piping Foundation. Playlist Nick Hudson with Invergordon’s Welcome to HM Queen Elizabeth II, P/M Hector MacLean and Sandy Cameron Bruce Gandy with P/M Karen MacLean, Caledonian Society of London and John Garroway. Bruce Gandy with Lament for the Children Cameron MacDougall with the Clan MacColl, Cabar Feidh and Lt Col DJS Murray Links | |||
| Episode 106 - Music & Chat from Bede Patterson | 25 Jun 2025 | 00:58:31 | |
Gary chats to Bede Patterson, one of the new generation of Australian pipers blazing a trail in fresh and exciting approaches to piping. Playlist Matt MacIsaac with Gaelic Air, The Old Woman’s Dance and the Firedrill from The Piping Album
P/M John D Burgess with the Baldoozer, Center’s Bonnet, Cork Hill and John MacDonald’s Jig from King of the Highland Pipers
The Whistlebinkies with Inner Sound from Inner Sound
Fraser Fifield with The Piper’s Premonition from Piobaireachd
Bede Patterson with Atude in E flat from a Private Recording.
Martyn Bennett with Karabach
Bede Patterson with Theme from a Private Recording
Matthew Welch with High Street 2005 from Welch: Blarvuster Links National Piping Centre Clubs Producer Post | |||
| Episode 105 - Love and Drink | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:55:52 | |
Gary brings you more high-end music of the bagpipe (and plenty other instruments) with visits to Brittany, Ireland, USA - and Glasgow! Playlist Calum Stewart with Craigellachie Lasses from True North Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band with The Sandpiper, Archie Beag, Bronni’s Blue Brozzi, La Boume, Lady Madelina Sinclair, Stirling Castle, Sleepy Maggie, Tail Toddle, Frances Morton’s from Unplugged: Live at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Frances Morton with the Mayo Set from Sliocht Dram and Go with Major George Morrison DSO, Molly Connell, White Houses of Sheildag and Roddy MacDonald’s Fancy from Heads, Tails and Heart
Bagad de Vannes (Melinerion) with L’amour et la boisson from Livioù
The Scott Wood Band with Dr Alasdair MacKenzie and Barber Avenue from Upsurge P/M Angus MacDonald with the Conundrum and P/M Willie Gray’s Farewell to the Glasgow Police from World’s Greatest Pipers Volume 1. Pipedown with the Hell-Bound Train from Roag
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| Episode 104 - Shoulder to Shoulder | 04 Jun 2025 | 00:53:10 | |
Join Gary as he invites you on another journey through the riches of the bagpipe traditions of the world. Playlist Daimh with Donnie MacGillivray’s Welcome to the 21st Century, Malcolm Johnston and Barbara’s Welcome Home from Diversions Major Gavin Stoddart with The Braes of Castle Grant and The Lochaber Gathering from The Piping Centre 1997 Recital Series Volume 3. Vicki Swan and Johnny Dyer with Logan Rock from Sliptease. Australia Highlanders with Stand Fast, NY Connection, Stand Fast, Rare Air, The Iron Man, The Caledonian Society of London, Dragan’s Lair, The Abyss and Rattle n Hum from Sans Peur. Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhride and Griogair Labhruidh with A bhean adai thall from Guaillibh a’ Cheile
John MacLean with Kennedy Street March, The Miller o Drone, Lady Carmichael, Unknown, The Night we Had the Goats, Unknown and Marry Me Now from the Second Grand Concert of Piping
People’s Ford Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band with Mingulay Boat Song from Cabar Feidh Wolfstone with The Road to Mount Tinnie Run, The Boys of Ballymote and Alan MacPherson of Mosspark from The Chase
Links People's Ford Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band
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| Episode 121 - Learning to Fly | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:58:01 | |
Join Gary as he brings you tunes from Brittany, Sweden ... and Motherwell! Playlist Den with L’Orient et Grand, from Just Around the Window. Johnstone Pipe Band with The Drunken Landlady, Michael Brady's Jig, Thief of Lochaber, Caledonia, AA Cameron's, Cutties Wedding, Cupair Thu, Tailler Thu, The Hole in the Bath from the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships Harta with Borgsjo Polska and Polska frän Halleforsnäs from Harta
Lorne MacDougall with Learning to Fly from Hello World
Vale of Atholl Pipe Band with Eileen Mary Connolly, Mrs Stewart of Grandtully, The New Reel, O’Rourke’s Reel, Electric Chopsticks and Good Drying from Live n Well: the Motherwell Concert.
Fin Moore and Sarah Hoy with Jimmy n Jigs from The Piper and the Maker 2: Celebrating C
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| Episode 103 - Cabar Feidh | 28 May 2025 | 00:56:16 | |
Gary brings you a sneak preview of the fantastic new live recording from the People's Ford Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band, due to be released in June. Playlist Steven Blake with the 98 Jig, Armstrong’s, The Plagiarist and Fiona Anne MacDonald from the TMSA Young Trad Tour 2008. The People’s Ford Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band with Cabar Feidh from Cabar Feidh India Alba with Bellydancer from High Beyond. Bagad Kemper with Ela Ela from Hep Diskrog Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies with Dickie MacPherson MacDonald and J Scott Skinner’s Welcome to Inverness from Lochbroom The People’s Ford Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band with Mouth Music from Cabar Feidh Hugh MacCallum with Lament for Mary MacLeod from the World’s Greatest Pipers, Volume 2. Links | |||
| Episode 102 - Sunny Days Are Here Again | 21 May 2025 | 00:57:38 | |
Gary brings you more great music of the bagpipe family, including trips to France, Asturias, Ireland and the USA. Playlist Old Blind Dogs with Jan Alexander’s Fancy, The Harris Dance and Miss Girdle from Four on the Floor
Iain MacHarg with Blind Billy, Failte do'n Phiobaire, Drink the Wort and Spill the Beer, Elizabeth Kelly’s Delight and Piper’s Maggot from Ceol na Beinne
Shotts and Dkyehead Caledonia Pipe Band with Donald Cameron, Cameronian Rant and Pretty Marion from The Pipe Major’s Choice: Shotts and Dkyehead Caledonia Pipe Band
Seudan with the Cameronian Rant and Cabar Feidh from Seudan
Philippe Eidel feat. Eric Montbel with Pimbou from Les Agricoles
Jose Manuel Tejedor with Aviles to Cork from Lluz Gordon McCready with The Waterhole, The Seagull, Fennyside Lassies, I Have it Somewhere, Sine Bhan, Innes and Fraser’s Reel, Concertina Reel and The Fourth Floor from Wheel of Fortune 2025, EYP Recording Cillian Vallely with Cottage in the Grove, Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrel and Master Crowley’s from The Raven’s Rock
Links Old Blind Dog Tour Dates and Details | |||
| Episode 101 - Knees Up | 14 May 2025 | 00:53:25 | |
Gary invites you to join him with the first episode of the next one hundred! Playlist Breabach with Knees Up from Frenzy of the Meeting Inverarary and District Pipe Band with The Snowball Jigs from Ascension
Harta with When She Cam Ben and Wat Ye Wha I Met Yestreen from Harta Sarah Muir with Donald MacLellan of Rothsay, Arniston Castle and Roddy MacDonald’s Fancy from the Wheel of Fortune 2025 Jimmy Young with The Warrior’s Reel, Sir William Hardie’s Waltzurka and Full-Rigged from Pipeworks
Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band with Morrison Avenue, Ye Jacobites by Name, The Leaving of Liverpool, Johnny With the Bandy Legs from The Pipe Major's Choice: Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band.
Brighde Chaimbeul with Bogan Lochan from Sunwise (pre-release)
Davy Spillane with Midnight Walker from Pipedreams
Links
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| Episode 100 - The First One Hundred | 07 May 2025 | 00:56:49 | |
Gary invites you to help him celebrate the milestone of having reached one hundred episodes of EYP, with some suitable music along the way. Playlist Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band with The First One Hundred, Century Bridge, Johnnie’s Jig, A Deal With the Devil, Heartland, Caledonian Society of London, Lady MacKenzie of Gairloch, Hazel Lassell, The Pivover Express and the Lost from the World Pipe Band Championships 2010. Sandy Cameron with The Sandpiper, Alex MacDonald, I Have it Somewhere, The Haughs of Cromdale, The Ferryman, The Night We Had the Goats, Becky Ewan from The Wheel of Fortune 2025, EYP Recording. Cameron May with Duke of Roxburgh’s Farewell to the Blackmount Forest, and Mrs MacPherson of Inveran from The Wheel of Fortune 2025, EYP Recording. Vale of Atholl Pipe Band with Zito the Bubbleman, Susan MacLeod, Cecily Ross, the Lintie, Balandran Air, Lorient et Grand and the Pitlochry High School Centenary from the World Pipe Band Championships 2001. Cameron Drummond with Hi Ho ro Mo Nighneag, Inveran, Doctor MacInnes’s Fancy, Irish Polkas, Silver Spear, Richard Dwyer’s, The Kesh Jig, Irish Jigs from The Wheel of Fortune 2025, EYP Recording Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band and the Porridge Men with the 93rd at Modder River and the Centenary Jewel from Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band in Concert. Bruce’s March from The Bruce 700 Composed by Allan MacDonald and Neil Johnstone | |||
| Episode 99 - Wheel of Fortune 2025 | 30 Apr 2025 | 00:57:56 | |
Gary brings you highlights from the wonderful and unique Wheel of Fortune contest run by the City of Edinburgh Pipe Band and held at the Danderhall Miners' Club in Midlothian. Playlist Cameron Drummond with Donald Maclellan of Rothesay, The Shepherd’s Crook and Drumlithie from EYP Recording Wheel of Fortune 2025
Sarah Muir with The Mad Hornpipe, Steve Byrne’s Jig, Alison’s Song, Unknown Polka, As I Went Out Upon the Ice, Dancing Feet, an un-named self penned tune and The Fourth Floor from EYP Recording Wheel of Fortune 2025 Gordon McCready with the Stornoway Highland Gathering, the Piper’s Bonnet and Broadford Bay from EYP Recording Wheel of Fortune 2025
Ross Miller with P/M Donald MacLean of Lewis, Chloe’s Passion, Newly Wed at Newhall, Gaelic Air, Dora Watt, Jack Daniel’s, Bartender, Molly Rankin’s and the Flaggon from EYP Recording Wheel of Fortune 2025.
Brian Lamond with P.M J MacWilliams, Caledonian Society of London, and the Little Cascade from EYP Recording Wheel of Fortune 2025
John Dew with Loch MacLeod, Wee Man from Skye, LA Kent, Loch Duich, The Sesh Chest and Watch My Toe from EYP Recording Wheel of Fortune 2025
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| Episode 98 - The Moon's Daughter | 23 Apr 2025 | 00:56:00 | |
Join Gary as he invites you to take in more great music from Scotland, Northumbria, Ireland and Canada, and find out how you can win a brand new set of bagpipes! Playlist Heather MacIsaac with Kito’s Fancy, Director of Confusion and Hector’s Slippers from The Moon’s Daughter St Lawrence O’Toole Pipe Band with The Irish Sea, the Scenic Route and Going to the Well for Water from Evolution: Live at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Billy Pigg with Gypsy’s Lullaby, The Hawk, Memories and Coates Hall from The Northumbrian Smallpipes (Topic) Skye Youth Pipe Band with Prince Charles’ Welcome to Lochaber, The Sweet Maid of Glendaruel, Teribus and McKay’s Polka recorded at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships 2025. Michael Grey with Clach Mhin Mheallain, Buggerlugs, Dr Angus MacDonald’s Off to Skye, The Left-Handed Piper, The Sunday Post Highlander from Cuts From Traditional Cloth
Bruce Gandy with Bob of Fettercairn, The Islay Ball, Sound of Sleat and the Brown Haired Maid from My Father’s Son Laoise Kelly and Tiarnan O’Duinnchinn with A Teelin Highland, Drowsie Maggie and the Ballinamore Reel from Ar Lorg na Laochra (On the Shoulders of Giants). Peatbog Faeries with Abhainn a’ Nathair (River of Snakes) from Dust
Links Skye Youth Pipe Band Fundraiser - get your tickets for the MacRae pipes here Heather MacIsaac Album Available here Information on Open Call for Emerging Talent at Piping Live 2025 here | |||
| Episode 97 - Serendipity | 16 Apr 2025 | 00:52:01 | |
Gary returns from his Atholl Highlanders tour with more great music from his collection of all things bagpipes. Playlist The Battlefield Band with Tending the Steer, Sandy Thompson and the Calrossie Cattle Wife from Harps, Pipes and Fiddles
The Scottish Power Pipe Band with MacLeod’s Oran Mor, Rory MacLeod, Donald Cameron’s Powder Horn and Donald, Willie and his Dog from Cathcart.
Willie McCallum with The Knightswood Ceilidh, The Cameronian Rant and Charlie’s Welcome from Hailey’s Song Steven Bodenes and Sylvain Hamon with Daou don Dans from Daou Don Dans Hazel Whyte with Major Manson at Clachantrushal, Susan MacLeod and Alick C MacGregor from EYP Live at Piping Live Beinn Lee with Lexy MacAskill, The Ben Kenneth Reel, Air an Fheill a-Muigh and The Fourth Floor from Osgarra
Jori Chisholm with Angus G MacLeod from Bagpipe Revolution RS MacDonald with Good Drying from Good Drying
Links Info and Nomination Form for the Maket Collective | |||
| Episode 96 - Two Years and Counting | 02 Apr 2025 | 00:54:20 | |
Gary celebrates the podcast's second anniversary with plenty more great music from the world of bagpipes. Playlist Assynt with Assynt House from Where From Here National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland (Development Band) with P/M Sandy Spence, Cabar Feidh, Paddy’s Leather Breeches and Butterfingers from Thunderstruck John Mulhearn with Roon the Barras and Rip Them Up from The Pipe Factory Oban High School Pipe Band with Donald Maclean’s Farewell to Oban, Maggie Cameron and Alec C MacGregor from World Pipe Band Championships 2016, private recording Gordon and Shona Mooney with Jimmy Allan, Geld Him Lasses, Coffee and Tea and Skint o Siller from Reclaimed: Pipe Music and Song from the Scottish Borders Cristina Pato and Rosa Cedron with Heicho de Dar from Soas Dr Angus MacDonald with Dh’ith na Coin na Maragan, Reel of Tulloch, Muilleann Dubh and Cailleach Liadh Ratharsair from Maidean Dubh’ an Donais | |||
| Episode 95 - Coffee & Sunshine (but no planes) | 26 Mar 2025 | 01:00:46 | |
Gary welcomes Tim Cummings and Fin Moore to the bothy for a chat and a wee tune. Playlist Rura with Rise from Dusk Moon Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band with Benn C Nevin, McPhedran’s Strathspey, AA Cameron, A Cup of Tea, Miss Girdle, The Swallowtailed Coat, The Cliffs of Doneen, Colum Ian, Merrily Danced the Quaker’s Wife and Queen of the Rushes from Debut. Timothy Cummings, Pete Sutherland and Brad Colodner with The Bird’s Flight from The Bird’s Flight The Far North Retreats Gathering feat. Mike Vass with ‘Air and Polka’ Field Recording March 2025 Tim Cummings, Fin Moore and Gary West with March of the King of Laoise (EYP Bothy Recording) Teresa Horgan feat Seumas Begley with Eamonn an Choic from Amethyst John Patrick with The Conundrum, Miss Tracey Lundie, Dougie Ferguson’s Reel and John Burgess’s Reel from the Piping Centre Recital Series 1997 Volume 2.
Cairdeas Summer School, Vermont
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| Episode 94 - Celtic Spring | 19 Mar 2025 | 00:45:36 | |
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 The Highland Wedding from the MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band Recital Series 2025 Angus MacColl with Gaelic Airs from the MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band Recital Series 2025 Angus MacColl with Strathspeys and Reels from the MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band Recital Series 2025 Heart of Italy Pipe Band with Farewell to Cetine and Castle Dangerous from Heartbeat 25th Guinness Celtic Spring Tour Musicians with The King's Shilling, The Ass in the Graveyard, Scarce o Tatties, Hag at the Churn and Pressed for Time Live in Austria | |||
| Episode 120 - The Tartan Army | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:55:14 | |
More great music of the bagpipe, including a quick trip to Hampden Park. Playlist Assynt with Rescues from Where From Here? Murray Henderson with AA Cameron’s Strathspey, Nelly’s Strathspey, Roes Among the Heather, Maclaine of Lochbuie’s Reel, Malcolm the Tailor and the Wind that Shakes the Barley from The World’s Greatest Pipers Volume 4. Annie Grace with ‘Tunes’ from The Bell. Closkelt with Lucy Cassidy, Butterfingers, Mrs MacDonald of Uig, South Georgia Whaling Song, Balmoral Castle, Fiona MacDonald, The Swall-Tailed Coat, Alick Cameron Champion Piper and Drumlithie from 2025 Scottish Pipe Band Championship (Drone Chorus Recording). Hazel Whyte (and the Tartan Army!) with Flower of Scotland (a snippet)
Hazel Whyte with Rocking the Baby and The Boys of Ballymote from the Raasay Restitution 2025, EYP Recording. Alen Tully with As I Went Out Upon the Earth and The Kerry Polka from The Best of Piping Live Recital Series 06/07 Andy May with Da Slockit Light from The Yellow Haired Laddie
Adrian Melvin Spirits of Old Pulteney, Major AF MacGillivray, Doune of Invernochty, Is it Long till the Wedding, The Brolum, Dr MacPhail’s Reel from Victoria Police Pipe Band Live in the Rockies
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| Episode 93 - Oh Vienna! | 12 Mar 2025 | 00:54:48 | |
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 Pipe Band Recital (private recording) Sgoil Bhágh a’ Chaisteal with Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships Freestyle Entry Angus MacColl with Glengarry’s Lament from MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band Recital (private recording) Donald Lindsay with The Grinder, Hardiman the Fiddler and Blythsome Bridal from Two Boats Under the Moon (pre-release track) Wind and Wire with Cornwall my Home (Youtube release)
Links Sgoil Bhágh a’ Chaisteal Video version Donald Lindsay Two Boats Under the Moon Crowdfunder | |||
| Episode 92 - Tunes and Chat with Finlay MacDonald | 05 Mar 2025 | 01:00:34 | |
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 Crossing from The Cauld Wind National Youth Pipe Band with 400% from Thunderstruck: Live from the Perth Concert Hall
Masters of Scottish Arts Folk Group with Elliot Fin MacDonald from Westering Home
Pipe Major Angus MacDonald with Wiseman’s Exercise, The Fiddler’s Joy, The Smith’s a Gallant Fireman, The Laird of Drumblair, The Brolum and Kalabakan from The World’s Greatest Pipers Volume 1. Breabach with Lochanside from Fàs
Links | |||
| Episode 91 - Brave New Music | 26 Feb 2025 | 00:56:32 | |
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 Championships 1987 Martyn Bennett with Swallowtale, from Martyn Bennett Martyn Bennett with Mary Kelly's, Glesga Tabla and Belle's Fancy from the Grand Concert of Scottish Piping City of Edinburgh Music School with MacKay's Memoirs Kathryn Tickell with Our Kate and The Welcome Home from The Best of Kathryn Tickell Links Buy your signed copy of Brave New Music: the Martyn Bennett Story here | |||