Enjoy Your Piping! With Gary West

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.PlaylistTannahill 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 Gathering, The Drunken Piper and the Australian Ladies from Princes Street Parade Ann Gray with Jigs in D on Smallpipes from A Twist in the Tale M...

Another hour of top drawer music from the bothy. PlaylistBreabach 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 from Cauld WindMatt Seattle with Little Wee Winking Thing from Out of the Flames: Music for the Border Bagpipes from 1733 to the PresentAllan MacDonald with ‘A...

Gary brings you more great tunes from a the airts - well from Scotland, England and Canada to be precise!PlaylistRura 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. Maeve MacKinnon with Uamh an Oir from Cave of Gold Simon Fraser University Pipe Band with Paardeburg, Port Sean Seasamh, Coppermill Studios, Bi...

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.PlaylistDaimh 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 Well Callum Beaumont with Raigmore and Sandy’s New Chanter from Midwest Arts Winter Storm Field Marhsall Montgomery Pipe Band Ben C Niven, MacPhedran’...

Gary brings you more great bagpipe tunes from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Galicia.PlaylistLorne 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 Piping Centre Recital Series 1996 Vol 1Inveraray and District Pipe Band with John MacColl’s March to Kilbowie Cottage, the Cameronian Rant and The Little Cascade fr...

Gary brings you more fine music of the bagpipe kind from his extensive collection.PlaylistChris Gray with LA’s Welcome to Thwale from Chris GrayRoddy MacLeod with Willie Gray’s Farewell to the Glasgow Police and Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban from the World’s Greatest Pipers Vol 6James Duncan MacKenzie with Theid Mi Dhachaidh, recorded at The Raasay, 2024Hamish Moore and Dick Lee with Thunderhead and the Easy Club Reel from The Bee’s Knees MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band with Pipe Serg...

More pipe music from a the airts as Gary delves into his collection once more for your delectation and delight! PlaylistRory Campbell with Cotton Eyed from IntrepidJohn 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 Ronaigh, Thug Mi Gaol Ghut, Thug Mi Gradh and Hi Ho Leagain from Ceolry. Xavier Boderiou with Laride Gavotte from Gwrizienn Davy Spillane with Unde...

Join Gary as he shines a light on those pipers who tend to be labelled 'file under folk'. PlaylistMusic 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 OstaigThe Battlefield Band with Cearcall a Chuain, The Kames Lassies, The Night we Had the Goats and Calum Fhionnlaigh from New Spring Gavin Marwick and Wendy Stewart with St ...

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.PlaylistField Marshall Montgomery with their Medley from the World Pipe Band Championships 1992 Decker Forrest with Tog Orm mo Phìob is Thèid mi Dhachaigh from The Raasay, September 2024, recorded by Mike Vass. Ailis Sutherland with Òran an t-saighdeir Ghàidhealaich from The Raa...

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!PlaylistThe Angus Nicholson Trio with the Primrose Lass from Sealladh Ard P/M Ian Duncan with the Braemar Gathering, John D Burgess and Miss Lily Christie from the Piping Centre Recitals, 1997Pauline Cato with The Lady’s Well, Random and The Cliff from Northumberland Rant The Inveraray and...

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.PlaylistTrail West with Wait Til I Tell Ucca from Countless Isles and Endless MilesNiall Matheson with Asian Tears, Rocking Miss Molly, Paddy O’Rafferty’s and Barbara’s Jig from The Shores of Loch NessThe Red Hackle Pipe Band with Greenwood Drive, Mairi Bhan Og, H...

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.PlaylistCallum Beaumont with The Phantom Piper of CorrieyairackIan Speirs with Farewell to the Queen's FerryStuart Liddell MBE with The Salute to the Piobaireachd SocietyIan K MacDonald with For My Lass, Fair, Pretty and HighlandSupport the show

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 2024 World Pipe Band Championships from Glasgow Green.Support the show

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 show

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.PlaylistFred Morrison Trio with the Train Journey North from Live at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Seudan with the Tulloch Gorm Set from Seudan Alen Tully with As I Went Out Upon the Earth and The Kerry Polka from The Best of Piping Live Recital Series 06/07 Victoria Police P...

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.PlaylistRoss Miller with D Major MacKenzie, Rona’s Reel and Mornington from The Roke Inveraray and District with John MacColl’s March to Kilbowie Cottage, The Cameronian Rant and The Little Cascade from A Night in that Land Craig Sut...

Gary reports on the piping culture of the USA from his Boston hotel room!PlaylistBen 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 LakeAdrian Melvin with Hills of Kintail, Donnie MacGregor, The Kitchenmaid and Donella Beaton from Unplugged Mike Cusack with Major Manson at Clachantrushal, Arniston Castle and Cecily Ross from Pipers of Distinction LA Scots Pipe Band with Richard Parkes and James M...

Gary brings you top drawer pipe music from Scotland, Ireland and the USA.PlaylistIain 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 Erne Shore from Ceol is Piob Stephanie Makem and Tiarnan o Duinnchinn with The Silver Slipper and The Glen Road to Carrick from Ceol is Piob St...

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. PlaylistCantrip with Ian Green of Greentrax, Whistle O’er the Lave o It, The Ramnee Ceilidh and the Hare of the Dog from BoneshakerBruce Gandy with the Abercairney Highlanders, Arniston Castle and John Morrison of Assynt House from the MacLean MacLeod Memorial Championships June 2024.Malin Lewis with Tune 51 from Halocline Toronto Police Pip...

Gary introduces highlights from a recent top solo contest in Delaware, USA, and catches up with news from sponsors, RG Hardie Bagpipes.PlaylistBreabach with The Old Collection from FasCameron Macdougall with The Ross-shire Volunteers, Tulloch Gorm, and Loch Carron from The United States Piping Foundation, Maclean Macleod Memorial Piping Championships 2024 Andrew Carlisle with Pipe Major George Ross' Farewell to the Black Watch (Wm Lawrie), Loch Loskin and Dr. MacPhail's Reel from T...

After a week off, Gary returns refreshed and armed with another bumper selection of all things bagpipes.PlaylistXavier 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 MacLeod Ben Duncan with Dougall, The Media Shirt, By Loch Etive Side, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Braes of Forbes, Spinner’s Delight, Women of the House and The Co...

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. PlaylistMike 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 Reel from 25 Years of the Glenfiddich Piping ChampionshipThe King’s Own Scottish Borderers with Sleep Dearie Sleep and the Pibroch of Donald from Blue Bo...

There's plenty of variety this week as Gary dips once more into his extensive collection of piping sounds from around the world.PlaylistOld 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 Distinction Lincoln Hilton with Shadow from Me and My Chanter Barnaby Brown with Fear Piobar Meata (the Timid Piper) from Spellweaving: Ancient Music from th...

Gary brings you an eclectic mix of top drawer music drawn from his collection of all things bagpipe.PlaylistThe 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 Cooley’s Jig, The Donegal Lass, Eddie’s Lamentation, The Strathspey King, Sergeant Murphy’s, Stranded in Scotland, The Ballintore Fancy, the Lismurrane Lamps ...

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 MacKenzie of Dumbarton, JF MacKenzie of Garrynahine, The Caledonian Society of London, The Easy Club, Eileen Mary Connelly, Eileen Mary Connelly,...

Join Gary as he takes you on another eclectic piping journey across Scotland and beyond.PlaylistRoss 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 Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band with Medley set, Salute to James A Henderson, Flee the Glen, The Panda, Farewell to Camraw, Maggie Cameron, The Nine of D...

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.PlaylistFergie MacDonald with Highland Jigs from The Ceilidh King Angus Nicholson with Cearcal a Chuain, Duncan Johnstone, Hag at the Churn, Humours of Whisky, Polka, Speeding in the Desert from the Wheel of Fortune 2024 Gary West with Kilworth Hills from The Isl...

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 in EYP!PlaylistCameron Drummond with Donald MacLellan of Rothesay, the Ewe with the Crooked Horn and Drumlithie. Craig Sutherland with the Liberton Pip...

Tracks PlayedDaimh 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 Brian Lamond with the Islay Ball, the Shepherd’s Crook, Loch Carron and the Rookery from Another Day at the Office 78th Fraser Highlanders w...

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.TracksThe Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band with The Ness Pipers Set from Impact – Live at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Pipe Major Iain Morrison with Mrs Duncan MacFadyen, Sandy MacPherson and the Traditional Reel from Back to Back Pipe Major Donald MacLeod with Lachie’s L...

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 PlayedRoss Miller with The Candlewood Suites Reel, Restalrig Road and Molly Rankin’s from The Restalrig ReelsStuart Liddell with Gaelic Air and Reels from Inveroran Scottish Power Pipe Band with Michael MacDonald’s Jig, Donald MacLean, Chloe’s Passion and the Foot Tapper from Live Tim Edey and Ross Ainslie with Lunny’s from Diad. Listen...

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 Roxburgh’s Farewell to the Blackmount Forrest, Inveraray Castle and Mrs MacPherson of Inveran, EYP Recording Neil Johnstone with Farewel...

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 PlaylistSarah Muir with Alan Dodd's Farewell to Scotland, Lady MacKenzie of Gairloch and Roddy MacDonald's Fancy, EYP Recording March 2024Fionnlagh Mac A'Phiocair and S...

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.PlaylistGordon Duncan with Ian Green of Greentrax and Mr and Mrs Duncan’s Golden Wedding from Thunderstruck. Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band with the Battle of t...

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.TracksFraser Fifield with The Old Road o Lumphanan from One Great CircleDrums and Pipes and Regimental Band of the Gordon Highlanders with Highland Troop from Cock o the North Willie McCallum with Dora Macleod, Caledonian Society of London, Roddy MacDonald’s Fancy, Fiona MacLeod, Dr MacPhail’s Reel, ...

Gary invites you to join him at the Far North Retreat near Tain in the company of fellow instructors Fin Moore, Mike Vass and Liz Doherty, and a host of other musicians who have gathered there this week for tunes, laughs and craic!TracksRoss Ainslie and Ali Hutton with MinkJohn D Burgess with the Swallow Tailed Coat setSeudan with TullochgormMike Vass with Settled in ClayThe Ghillies with The Passive Drinker and Sir James of the BingsLiz Doherty with Jonny SunshineSarah Hoy, Fin Moore, ...

Gary invites you on a tour which takes in the music of Scotland, Ireland, Northumbria, Asturias, Brittany, New Zealand and Cuba. And there's a first chance to hear a brand new bagpipe-infused single from Linlithgow's very own town piper, Ross Miller. The Battlefield Band with The Merry Macs, Dr Iain MacAonghais and Mrs Chisholm’s Delight from Happy Daze Tejedor with Salton d’Lyana from Music na Maleta Canterbury Caledonian Society with Chief Grey Feather, Guards Club Recital Se...

Gary brings you the full set from the reigning world pipe band champions' performance at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as part of Celtic Connections 2024.TracksBeolach with Berrigan's Folly from All HandsPipe Major Angus MacDonald with Eileen MacDonald, Traditional Jig and the Glasgow City Police Pipers from Ceol Beag at the CastlePeople's Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band with The Lark in the Morning, Queen of the Rushes and St Ninian's Parish Centre Ceilidh Peo...

Gary introduces highlights from the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland's performance on the main stage of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, as part of Celtic Connections 2024.John Dew with the Duncan Johnstone, John MacKenzie, Eastwood Cottage and the High Bridge Walk from The High Bridge Walk Harta with To Dauntin Me, Linkumdoddie and Go to Berwick Johnny from Harta Allan MacDonald with Cumha Alasdair Dheirg Mhic ic Alasdair (Lament for Alasdair Dearg of Glengarry) from Dastirum.&n...

Gary invites you to eavesdrop on a practice by the reigning world pipe band champions, the People's Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia, as they make their final preparations for their Celtic Connections appearance at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. With thanks as always to our sponsor, RG Hardie Bagpipes Support the showTracksJohn McSherry with the Rambles of Kitty from SomaSimon Fraser University Pipe Band with Ian Green of Greentrax and Rachel’s Hornpipe from the Midwest Highland Arts Fund...

Gary brings a light touch to Burns' night with a couple of the bard's songs this week, from Robyn Stapleton and our very own Eilidh West. There's a return visit to the bagpipe factory of RG Hardie & Co to catch up on the latest news from there, plus plenty of top drawer piping from bands and soloists alike.TracksThe Bothy Band with Leitrim Fancy, Round the World for Sport, Rip the Calico, Martin Wynne’s, the Enchanted Lady, the Holy Land from The Best of the Bothy Band Stuart Liddell...

It may be the bleak mid winter but there's plenty to warm you up in this week's episode of EYP as we celebrate more top drawer music from the world of the bagpipe.Tracks PlayedRoss Miller with D Major MacKenzie, Rona’s Reel and Mornington from The Roke Alasdair Gillies with The Inverness Gathering, The Cameron Quickstep (as a march then hornpipe) from Lochbroom Dr Angus MacDonald with Yester House, The Kames Lassies, The Back of the Change House, Dan J Campbell’s Reel, A Cur na Gobh...

Gary brings you more top drawer music of the bagpipes from a the airts, with visits to Shetland, Dumfriesshire, Frankfurt, USA, Canada and Galicia.TracksChris Stout and Finlay MacDonald Band with Borve Castle from The Cauld Wind Angus MacColl with Sine Bhan, Traditional Reels from The Lord Todd Piping Recital Challenge Iain MacInnes with How She’ll Never be Guided, Played in the Low Country and Woo’d and Married and A (private recording) The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band with ...

Gary celebrates the beginning of a new year of piping with a look ahead to this year's Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow which runs from 18th January - 4th February. PlaylistThe Friel Sisters with Helvic Head / Buried My Wife and Danced on Top of Her / Frahers from The Friel Sisters Stuart Liddell with Troy’s Wedding and the Viennese Waltz from Midwest Highland Arts Fund: Winter Storm 2006 Fred Morrison with the Kansas City Hornpipe from Live at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall...

Gary takes a look back at the story so far here on EYP as he revisits some of the highlights of the piping year as it draws to a close. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Guid New Year! Tune in for plenty more music in 2024!TracksRura with A Minor Emergency from Dusk Moon.Seonaidh MacIntyre and Ewen Henderson with Finn’s Tune, Bàgh Dubh gu Buala Dubh, and Allan J. Nairn of Ceann Tràgha (all Seonaidh MacIntyre) from The Piper and the Maker 2 – Celebrating C People’s Ford Boghall and ...

Join Gary for more high end music from the world of bagpipes, featuring tunes from Dysart and Dundonald and Alberta Caledonia Pipe Bands, from Andrew Carlisle, the Peatbog Faeries and a project featuring the music of the far north of Scotland entitled Urachadh. There's a double helping from a brand new album, Epic New Dawn, featuring a fabulous community-based piping and drumming initiative from the East Ayrshire Pipe Band Academy and the Kilmarnock Pipe Band. And there's a special mix ...

Gary is on his travels again, and brings you great music and chat from one of his 'homes from home', the Celtic Arts Foundation in Mount Vernon, in the Pacific North West of the USA. There's live sets from piping supremo, Zephan Knichel, and from the superb fiddle and piano duo of Cayley Schmid and Aaron Guest, as well as gorgeous Gaelic songs from Stacey Giermann. There's a National Piping Centre recording of Willie McCallum from 25 years ago, a set of tunes from some of Gary's fellow ...

Join Gary for more top class music from the world of bagpipes, with tunes from Davy Spillane, Simon McKerrell, Bonnie Rideout & Allan MacDonald, Dr Angus MacDonald, Beolach, the Battlefield Band, Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia and a listener's corner spot from Jock Roarty. TracksBeolach with Annie’s New Heart from All Hands Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band with Call to the Gathering Simon McKerrell with Lucy Cassidy, Duncan Johnstone and The Mad...

Join Gary as he brings you more great music from that family of instruments we call the bagpipe. At the more traditional end of things, there’s classic tunes from Murray Henderson and we take in the first world championship win from the Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band in 1992. Listen out too for a modern twist from Malin Lewis and from Sketch while Mairearad Green and Anna Massie get down and folky! And in a special tribute to the late Skye Richendrfer of the Celtic Arts Foundation ...

Join Gary as he brings you more great music from bagpipes great and small! There's a double helping from the Northumbrian tradition, a flavour of the Himalayas, up tempo tunes from the wider trad scene, a song from Scottish folk royalty, and a short tribute to Dundee piping great, Harry Ellis, who sadly passed away this week.TracksJames Harper with Colorado Frontiersman, Bonnen Polka, and Eiggmare from Culzean Billy Pigg with Archie’s Fancy and Holey Ha’Penny from Northumberland Ra...

Gary brings you more high quality music of the bagpipe kind, with tunes from Rura, The Finlay MacDonald Band, Iain MacFadyen, Fred Morrison and Canadian band, Iron Brew. There's a gorgeous version of the pibroch, Desperate Battle of the Birds on pipes and piano, courtesy of Roddy MacLeod and Craig Muirhead, a taster of a brand new piece for pipes and orchestra from Lorne MacDougall, and with Armistice Day just around the corner, a moving song version of the lament, Flooers o the Forest,...

Following on from last week's Halloween shenanigans things are a bit more chilled in this episode - although maybe not quite as chilled as the title might suggest! There's fine music from Daimh, Cantrip, Angus and Kenneth MacKenzie, P/M Angus MacDonald, Matt MacIsaac and the Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band, while Eilidh West, usually to be heard introducing each episode in the jingle, is in fine voice as she quietly sings you to sleep.TracksDaimh with Puff Puff from SulaCantrip with The Carefu...

Join Gary for a Halloween special, and hear about some of the deep rooted traditions associated with the festival and what lies behind them. And of course there is plenty of appropriate pipe music to lighten the mood, with sets from Lincoln Hilton, Steve Byrne, The Victoria Police Pipe Band, the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, John MacLean, Troy MacGillivray and Hugh MacDiarmid's Haircut. There's a full rendition of Robert Burns' epic tale, Tam O'Shanter, and a seldom heard reply from his ...

Gary returns after a week’s break with more top-drawer music from the world of bagpipes. There’s a taster of two new albums, True North from uillean pipe maestro, Calum Stewart, and the latest excellent offering from the band, Rura, entitled Dusk Moon. From the solo highland piping there are sets from Willie McCallum and from John Walsh, a double duo helping from Fin Moore and Sarah Hoy and from Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton, and a wee trip back in time to the 1970s to the classic sound of Edin...

Gary helps to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Lowland and Border Pipers' Society by taking a look at the development, decline, and revival of the bellows bagpipe tradition in Scotland. With music from Gordon Mooney, , Fred Morrison, Annie Grace & Judy Barker, Andy May and ... himself! TracksDaimh with Jerry’s Pipe Jig, Slainte do Mhabou, Donella Beaton, Muinera de Casu from From Moidart to MabouAnnie Grace and Judy Barker with Alison Cross from Reclaimed (Presented by Lowland ...

Join Gary for more music from the world of bagpipes, this week with two fine voices thrown in for good measure! These belong to Andy Hunter, who gives us his rendition of the song version of the Ewe wi the Crookit Horn in the company of the Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band, and nobel laureate, Seumas Heaney, who reads his poem, The Given Note, accompanied by the great uillean piper, Liam O'Flynn. There's also sets from Donald MacPherson, Gordon Duncan, Ceolbeg, Assynt, the Scottish Gas Caledoni...

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. TracksHecla with Angus Waltz Intro, Angus John MacNeil of Barra and Angus Sutherland from Hecla: Smallpipes, Fiddle and Gaelic SongAngus MacColl with The Highland Wedding and the Abercairney Highlanders from A Tradition of ExcellenceDick Gaughan a...

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 Counc...

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. Tracks Cantrip with the Eavil Dr Gray, Mrs Dundas of Arnistoun, Marion’s Reel and MacDonald’s Reel from Boneshaker P/M Alasdair Gillies with Mrs John MacColl, Tulloch Castle and D...

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!TracksIain Speirs with the Edinburgh Piobaireachd by...

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 ...

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. TracksSimon Fraser University Pipe Band with The Haunting, Drops of Brandy, Snug in a Blanket, Untimely Journey, Rocking the Baby from Live in AmericaLive Sets on StageJohn Mulhearn wit...

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.Support the showTracksMark Saul with A' D...

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!TracksDan Houghton with Bochd Liath nan Gobhar, Lieutentant MacGuire, Freya’s Diplomacy (D Houghton) and The Old Woman’s Dance (Donald...

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.Sponsored by RG Hardie Bagpipes TracksTim Edey and Ross Ainslie with Muine...

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,...

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 f...

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.If you would like to become a ...

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 h...

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...

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...

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.Support the ShowIf you would like to become a Friend of this podcast to ...

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...

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. Tracks PlayedFranco Melis with ‘Fiorassiu’ from the Lowland and Border Pipers' Society 2nd Grand Concert of Pipinghttps://www.greentrax.com/Susana Sevaine with 'Revolucion' from Fahttps://www.susanaseivane.net/Petrov Stephanos (Bulgaria)&nbs...

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 f...

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. Music and clips played1. Da...

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 ...

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.Tracks Played Track 1 Breabach with The Ramparts (D MacLeod), We Were Poor But We Were Miserable (J D MacKenzie) from Astar https://www.breabach.com/ Track 2 Simon Fraser University Pipe Band with Alick Cameron, Champion Piper (GS MacLennan), Lexy ...

Gary West brings you the first episode of his brand new podcast, including music from the Inveraray and District Pipe Band, James Duncan MacKenzie, Jock Duncan , Gordon Duncan and look out for a wildcard track from young Edinburgh singer/songwriter, Gus Harrower.Track 1James Duncan MacKenzie – Taigh Iain’ Iain’ Niall, Tracy and Barney’s Garden Party, Ian’s Last Munro (all James Duncan MacKenzie) from Fibhigwww.jamesduncanmackenzie.comTrack 2Inveraray and District, ‘Pointed Hornpipes’ (Kenny t...