Peter Henderson Blackwood Chanter wins top awards
Posted: 02/11/09

2009 has been the most successful year to date for Pipers playing Peter Henderson Pipe Chanters. Stuart Liddell won the Glenfiddich Piping Championship at Blair Atholl Castle on 31st of October playing a silver soled Peter Henderson Blackwood Pipe Chanter in both the Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey and Reel events.

The Glenfiddich invitational event is the highest accolade a Piper can win in solo piping where the invitees must earn their place by winning one of the qualifying events during the year.

Stuart earned his place by winning the Clasp for Piobaireachd at the Northern Meeting which takes place at the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness during the first week of September. The Clasp victory was the first event that Stuart competed in playing the chanter.

R.G. Hardie General Manager, Alastair Dunn won his second Gold Medal playing Peter Henderson bagpipes and chanter. The Highland Society of London Gold Medal can be won at two prestigious events where the competitors require eligibility to enter based on previous solo successes.

Alastair won the Northern Meeting Gold Medal in 2006 and by winning the Argyllshire Gathering Gold Medal now joins an elite group of Pipers that have won both Gold Medals. Winning the Gold medal qualified Alastair to play at the Glenfiddich Piping Championships.

Field Marshal Montgomery Sponsorship
Posted: 22/06/09

RG. Hardie & Co. Ltd has agreed a two year sponsorship with Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band. This is an extension to the agreement signed in 2006 with St. Kilda and associated companies. In addition to other support the new deal will see the band wear the new trademarked Piper Flex Jacket in 2009 which was designed by R G Hardie.
 
The band will be selling their current Piper Jackets to raise funds and interested parties should email the band at info@fmmpb.com.

General Manager Alastair Dunn says “After a difficult period through 2003/2004 Hardies came under professional management at the end of 2005 and I took on the position of General Manager. I am very proud of what my team has achieved over these years in terms of manufacturing output, new products and our reputation for consistent quality and attention to detail.

The support that FMMPB has provided to Hardies has been invaluable in the development and fine tuning of our products and we are proud that almost half of the band have chosen to play Peter Henderson Bagpipes. The expertise and professionalism of the band and its individual members ensures we are constantly challenged to produce the best.

We are very aware that the future of Hardies is dependent on the quality of the products we produce and the service we provide. The continued partnership with Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band will ensure Hardies stays at the forefront of piping.”

Chairman, Earl Glasgow says “This is fantastic news for the band.  R G Hardie extending the sponsorship for another two years ensures we are always looking smart and professional. It really does allow us to focus on our playing without worrying about the financial burden of supplying the band with uniforms for new players or replacing uniform when needed. The new Piper Flex Jacket has been very well received by the players in the band. We are very grateful to R G Hardie & Co. Ltd for their support, with this continued sponsorship."

New RG Hardie Online Store
Posted: 25/02/09

We are please to announce we have recently launched an online store where customers worldwide can purchase our range of instruments and accessories. We hand craft three brands of bagpipes which include RG Hardie, Peter Henderson and St. Kilda. We also provide piping accessories, pipe band uniforms and marching drums.

The site also includes a Blog which will include information and advice on various topics about piping and drumming. Already posted is help and advice on purchasing new bagpipes or drums.

We hope you will enjoy browsing the RG Hardie Store and you will find it a useful resource for your Pipe Band Supplies.

New Piper Flex Jacket
Posted: 25/02/09

RG Hardie have recently developed a new style of jacket specifically for pipe band use called the Piper Flex Jacket. The feature that makes the Flex jacket unique is the wool lycra back panels which stretch while the performer is playing. Pipe band members require this additional flexibility for moving while performing for example Pipers tuning drones or Tenor drummers flourishing.

Other features include:

Available in black or navy 15oz barathea with thistle lining.

Tailored fitting for comfortable positioning of instruments

Three inside pockets for extra carrying.

The Piper range also includes Piper Brogues, Piper Glengarry, Piper Sporrans, Piper Socks, Piper Bagcover and Pipersafe Ear Protectors.

For pricing information follow this link

For trade pricing please contact us at info@rghardie.co.uk
 

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band DVD
Posted: 05/06/08

We are delighted to announce that will be shipping the new Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band DVD RE:WIND RE:PLAY worldwide next week. To find out more about the CD and DVD follow this link http://www.rghardie.co.uk/cd_dvd.html

The DVD gives a great insight into how the band started from humble beginnings to go on and win the World Pipe Band Championships. With Interviews from Pipe Major Richard Parkes, Lead Drummer Keith Orr, Former Lead Drummer Gordon Parkes, President Billy Maxwell and former members this is a DVD not to be missed.

Contact your local supplier to order.

30th Anniversary of the ABSC
Posted: 30/05/08

R.G. Hardie General Manager Alastair Dunn was invited to Brittany by the ABSC (Assosiation Bretone des Solistes de Cornemuse - breton association of solo pipers) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the association. The event was held on 26th of April at the Castle of Tronjoly provided by Gourin town council. 35 students attended, the best attendance to date for the annual event. Classes were held each day to improve the students understanding of Scottish music on the highland bagpipes with instructors from the local area Hervé Le Floch, Cédric Le Bozec and Loic Denis along with Scottish based pipers Alastair and Margaret Dunn who originate from Northern and Southern Ireland respectively. Students also had time to learn more about other types of pipes and styles of music more familiar to the Brittany region of France. Margaret Dunn from the National Piping Centre ran a CLASP event and the full details of this can be found at www.theclasp.co.uk

R.G. Hardie recently developed a chanter along with Breton piper Bruno Le Rouzic specifically designed to play at the pitch required for Bagad bands, the chanter is called Le Rouzic and is available through Bruno Le Rouzic at Celtic Sound - celticsound@hotmail.fr.

Manawatu Scottish Announces Sponsorship Deal with St Kilda Group
Posted: 20/02/08

The 6-times New Zealand Champions and 2007 World Championship finalists Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band of Palmerston North, New Zealand, has announced a three-year sponsorship deal with the worldwide St Kilda Group, which includes R G Hardie & Co Ltd incorporating Peter Henderson, Gaelic Themes Ltd and St Kilda Australia. The deal does not include naming rights and the band will remain as ‘Manawatu Scottish’.

Speaking on behalf of the Band P/M Stewart McKenzie stated “Manawatu Scottish are delighted to have secured sponsorship from the St Kilda Group and are looking forward to working locally with St Kilda Australia. It will help the Band enormously given the difficulties we have in meeting uniform and instrument costs, which come on top of travel costs associated with attending the World Championships on a regular basis. It’s also fantastic that the St Kilda Group see value in sponsoring a band from the Southern Hemisphere.”

Through the period of the sponsorship the Band will be working closely with R G Hardie in further developing and promoting group pipe band products and providing qualitative feedback and input on all developments in piping.

Scott Chalmers, group managing director commented that “This sponsorship reinforces our already considerable commitment to the pipe band market. Australia and New Zealand have their own unique market requirements and it is only natural that we have sought a relationship with a local band of such repute and prestige. The group has benefitted enormously from the excellent working relationship developed through the FMMPB sponsorship which has been running for nearly 3-years and we are confident that the model developed there will see the same high quality returns for both parties. There is no substitute to listening to, and working closely with, our target customers”

Doug Manger of St Kilda Retail Australia stated that “this is an exciting development and I am delighted that the group has committed so fully to the Region and I look forward to working closely with one of the worlds best up and coming grade 1 bands. There are exciting times on the horizon for Peter Henderson and other group brands.”

Great Success in the Big Apple for Peter Henderson Bagpipes
Posted: 16/02/08

Our General Manager Alastair Dunn won prizes in both events at The Metro Cup, finishing 2nd in the medley event and 4th in the Piobaireachd playing My King has Landed in Moidart. The Metro Cup run by Eric and Maureen Stein and held in Newark, New Jersey is an invitational event which this year featured many of the world’s finest pipers. This was a special occasion as Alastair was playing Peter Henderson bagpipes and Blackwood solo chanter.

Click here to hear his performance – Captains Corner website http://www.thecaptainscorner.com/blog.htm

Alastair then competed the following week at the innovative "You Be the Judge" event held in Babylon, New York. This unique competition is decided on audience vote and along with his wife Margaret they won first place for the third time in four years. Their winning performace can be seen on Youtube.com with both players playing Henderson Drones. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeJxXDjGrjc

RE:Charged meets Great Reviews
Posted: 13/02/08

FMM’s RE:CHARGED album, recorded live last August and released just before the New Year, has received tremendous reviews and feedback from critics and fans across the world. The album was named pipes|drums 2007 Pipe Band Recording of the Year, and when recently reviewed for pipes|drums by esteemed reedmaker and judge Jamie Troy, received the full “five gracenotes” for superb quality; a perfect score! Jamie calls Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band “one of the most exciting, consistent and certainly the most dominant pipe band in recent years.” He writes that “the blending of the drones and tuning of the chanters is just overwhelming. The pipe sound is extremely full, well-balanced and powerful,” and that “the style, thought and refined technique in each tune is superb.” Commenting on Keith Orr’s drum corps, he comments on the “pristine drum salute and crisp drum sound, ”and notes that “the drum corps provides great accompaniment with their snappy drum scores and smartly used mid-section.”

He continues, “Superlatives can only begin to convey what this band has achieved over the last few years. FMM is extremely good at presenting tunes in a refined manner, never swaying from the reason we're all listening in the first place: good music. No gimmicks here folks; this is pure championship pipe band from start to finish.”

“Richard has tuning down to a science, and to keep this sound for an entire concert is, in my mind, as close to perfect as it gets.” He finishes, “I would suggest pulling up your favourite chair in front your stereo system, grab a Guinness, sit back and drink in the experience of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band at their very best.”

“As close to perfect as it gets,” is the reason why RE:CHARGED is being celebrated in pipe band circles across the world.

Trade enquiries should CONTACT US for more information.

Airtight Seasoning now in a Microwaveable bottl
Posted: 12/02/08

You can no longer say it does exactly what is says on the tin! The famous tartan tin has been replaced with a Microwaveable bottle. The bottle has been tested for many months and has been found to reduce the time for seasoning by 15mins and also preserve the longevity of the seasoning. Airtight seasoning has been used by pipers worldwide for over 40 years after the recipe was bought from Robertsons. It is highly recommended by many leather pipe bag makers and is the seasoning of choice for World Class Pipe Bands Field Marshal Montgomery, Simon Fraser University and Strathclyde Police. Trade enquiries should Contact Us while Retail enquires should contact their local piping supplier.

Master of Scottish Arts, Seattle
Posted: 02/02/08

Anthony Masterson from Anchorage, Alaska was the proud recipient of a set of Zoomorphic engraved PH1 Peter Henderson bagpipes. We were informed that the young piper was presented the pipes by Niall Mathieson and told that he had to play a tune on his new Henderson bagpipes to which he responded with a fine rendition of the Fiddler’s Rally. This is the first year we have supported the event which includes workshops with masters of piping and a concert at the Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle. Visit their website for further information www.masteryofscottisharts.org

Irish Piobaireachd Success for Henderson Bagpipes
Posted: 02/02/08

Alastair Dunn was the overall winner of the 11th annual Irish Piobaireachd Society competition. He won the Bratach De Paor for piobaireachd playing the Clan MacNabs Salute and finished runner-up in the March, Strathspey and Reel event. Alastair was playing PH05H Peter Henderson bagpipes and a prototype Peter Henderson Blackwood Pipe Chanter. The full results can be found at www.pipesdrums.com and for more information on the event visit www.ceolmor.net

RG Hardie at Winter Storm
Posted: 12/01/08

One the main highlights in the Piping and Drumming scene in North America is Winter Storm which is held in Kansas City, USA. This year we were proud to be a main sponsor of the Gold Medal Piobaireachd event which was won by Jori Chisolm from Seattle. The event is well known worldwide for its organisation and stages a day of competition followed by two days of workshops and a concert showcasing the talents of the fantastic teaching faculty. We were pleased to donate a set of PH1 Peter Henderson Bagpipes to be raffled at the concert which were won by Mary Copland (pictured with Hardies General Manager Alastair Dunn and Jeff Kruske, President of the Midwest Highland Arts Fund). We have been told that she has grandsons who are budding young pipers who we are sure will put the pipes to good use. Visit their website for more information www.winterstorm.net

Official Release Of RE:CHARGED
Posted: 18/12.07

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band are delighted to announce the release of thier latest CD, RE:CHARGED, recorded live at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall during mid-August, 2007. The band played to an enthralled packed house drawn from the global pipe band community, just three days before the 2007 RSPBA World Championships at Glasgow Green. And on a wet Saturday at Glasgow Green with fierce competition, Field Marshal secured their sixth RSPBA Grade 1 World Championship title.

With the Band enjoying tremendous success in the 2007 RSPBA competition series and receiving great reviews for the RE:CHARGED concert performance, the release of the CD has been eagerly awaited by band enthusiasts everywhere.

The album comprises fifteen exciting tracks over a full seventy minutes of playing time. The repertoire includes some of thier big MSR and Medley sets for competition, great performances from super-charged solo pipers and their laid back drummers, Hornpipes and Reels to pull the house down and persistent reference to the great composers whose tunes have become synonymous with the success of FMM over a period of two decades.

Contact your local supplier to purchase a copy.

Trade enquiries should email sales@rghardie.co.uk.

Drums & Drumming Accessories!
Posted: 17/09/07

It is with great pleasure that RG Hardie announce the addition of drums and drumming  drumming accessories to their range of products.We are official agents for  Pearl, Premier, Andante, Hardcase, as well as stocking accessories from most of the main manufacturers such as Jim Kilpatrick, Remo,Pro Mark, Ty Fry, Protection Racket and David Farquhar.

This will enable us to provide the complete package for the pipe band, when combined with our bagpipes and uniform product ranges.

To manage this side of our business we welcome on board Robert Geary, who until recently was the manager of one of the groups retail stores, St. Kilda Retail.

Please contact Robert on robertg@rghardie.co.uk for  information or quotations for your band.

Northern Meeting Success!
Posted: 03/09/07

Peter Henderson Bagpipes once again featured in the prize list at a major solo event. The Northern Meeting was held at Aviemore Highland Resort on the 30th and 31st of August and is one of the premier solo piping events where the worlds finest solo pipers compete. Margaret Dunn won the silver medal for Piobaireachd playing the tune The Bicker while Ryan Canning won the B Grade Strathspey and Reel and finished runner-up in the B Grade March competition. Both pipers where featured pipers in World Championships bands with Margaret being the Pipe Major of the grade 3B winners Cullen Pipe band and Ryan a key member of Grade 1 World Champions Field Marshal Montgomery. Congratulations to both pipers from RG Hardie & Co. on a tremendous season.

RSPBA Champion of Champions
Posted: 29/08/07

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band ended the 2007 season by winning the Cowal Highland Gathering. This win also secured the title of RSPBA Champion of Champions with the band winning four out of a possible 5 championships, a truly magnificent feat. R.G. Hardie & Co would like to congratulate the band on their successes this year, not only in the competition arena but in performing at their Re:Charged concert which is due for release in the coming months in DVD and CD format. We look forward to working with the band over the close season and in preparation for next years competitions.

Congratulations to FMMPB! !
Posted: 17/08/07

RG Hardie wants to congratulate the FMM pipers playing the Peter Henderson bagpipes at the recent 2007 World Pipe Band Championships. There are not many sets of new pipes that win a world championship in their first season and we are please that four members of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band elected to play Henderson bagpipes.

From left to right Mike Fitzhenry, Gordon McCready, P/Sgt Alastair Dunn and Ryan Canning were featured soloists at the Re:Charged concert which took place three days before the band won its sixth world title, you can look forward to seeing them in action when the DVD is released later this year. Each set of pipes has its own unique serial number with Mike playing 07024B, Gordon 07028B, Alastair 06026B and Ryan 07033B.

FMMPB Re:Charged!
Posted: 17/08/07

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band’s August 8th pre-Worlds performance was a roaring success, filling the house with a bigger audience than has appeared at this event in years, with only a handful of seats remaining in the whole of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, a venue which holds thousands.
The band delivered on everything it promised and all feedback has been unanimously positive. The band was able to use technology to tell the interesting history of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band through video footage and photographs which were displayed overhead on a large screen, a reminder of FMM’s humble roots as the band of yesterday was displayed in juxtaposition to the band of today. The screen also showed footage as it was filmed live, to feature close-ups of individual players as they performed in contrast to the 22 pipers and 12 drummers on stage as a unit.

Considering the fact that this has never before been attempted in concert by a pipe band of any kind, the event has to be deemed not only a success for FMMPB, but also as groundbreaking for pipe bands in general. After a full night of piping and drumming and twenty-two sets of music, Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE was treated to a surprise special presentation by Pipe Major Ian McLellan BEM, marking Richard’s 25 years as pipe major of FMMPB last year, which was an extreme honour from such a celebrated pipe land legend as Ian McLellan.

The band recorded the performance for both CD and DVD, and details of the release date will be announced later in the year. RG hardie will distribute the CD and DVD to Retail outlets worldwide.

Click here for Trade Enquiries - FMMPB Re:Charged

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band World Champions Again!
Posted: 15/08/07

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band retained their title and were crowned World Champions for the second year running on Saturday 11 August, 2007 at Glasgow Green. The band was elated as Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE collected the Jubilee trophy and banner to mark the band’s sixth World Championship title, while Leading Drummer Keith Orr clasped the award for second best drum corps overall which had helped to secure the win.

The Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band have not won the World Pipe Band Championships back to back since their first ever wins in 1992 and 1993 fourteen years ago. R.G. Hardie would like to congratulate all members of FMMPB on their sixth world Title.

Peter Henderson Bagpipes: St Patricks Day in Germany!
Posted: 17/03/07

Four Glasgow based pipers performed in Muehlhausen, Germany. The event organised by Kilts and More featured Ryan Canning, Margaret Houlihan and Alastair Dunn playing brand new silver Peter Henderson Bagpipes along with Megan Harrington playing a vintage Henderson set.

Each piper played a solo selection followed by a trio from the three members of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band. The events finale was a quartet of old and new Henderson Bagpipes playing the tunes Raigmore and Donald Camerons Powder.

The pipers visited the Kilts and More shop where Alastair Dunn set-up a new set of RGH03 Bagpipes for a young german Student.

Each Peter Henderson Bagpipe comes with a unique identification number, engraved on the bass stock.

Alastair Dunn played PH5h Hand Chased Victorian Silver - set number 06026B. Margaret Houlihan played PH5h Hand Chased Dot Knot Silver - set number 06027B. Ryan Canning played PH5h Hand Chased Thistle Silver - set number 07033B.

Peter Henderson Bagpipes: St Patricks Day in Germany!
Posted: 17/03/07

Four Glasgow based pipers performed in Muehlhausen, Germany. The event organised by Kilts and More featured Ryan Canning, Margaret Houlihan and Alastair Dunn playing brand new silver Peter Henderson Bagpipes along with Megan Harrington playing a vintage Henderson set.

Each piper played a solo selection followed by a trio from the three members of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band. The events finale was a quartet of old and new Henderson Bagpipes playing the tunes Raigmore and Donald Camerons Powder.

The pipers visited the Kilts and More shop where Alastair Dunn set-up a new set of RGH03 Bagpipes for a young german Student.

Each Peter Henderson Bagpipe comes with a unique identification number, engraved on the bass stock.

Alastair Dunn played PH5h Hand Chased Victorian Silver - set number 06026B. Margaret Houlihan played PH5h Hand Chased Dot Knot Silver - set number 06027B. Ryan Canning played PH5h Hand Chased Thistle Silver - set number 07033B.

Peter Henderson Pipes Feature in New Jersey Competition!
Posted: 06/03/07

R.G. Hardie & Co. donated a set of PH01 Peter Henderson Bagpipes to the overall winner of the amateur event which was Douglas Gardiner from Scotland. The set with Dot Knot engraving went to Douglas based on him achieving the best aggregate score over the Piobaireachd and MSR events. Glasgow based teaching establishment The College of Piping also donated a set of bagpipes from R.G. Hardie & Co. The pipes, a set of RGH04 RG Hardie bagpipes, were won again by Douglas Gardiner for the March, Strathspey and Reel event.  On winning the two sets of pipes Douglas decided to donate the pipes to younger pipers from the event which will be presented at the 'You be the Judge contest' taking place in the AOH club, Babylon, NY 24/02/2007.

Two sets of Peter Henderson pipes featured in the prize list of the Metro Cup Open Competition which took place in Newark, New Jersey. Alastair and Margaret Dunn played new PH05H Peter Henderson Bagpipes with Alastair taking fifth place in the Open Piobaireachd and Margaret winning fourth place in the medley event. The event featured pipers from both sides of the Atlantic including Gordon Walker, who won the Medley selection, and Roddy Macleod MBE who won the Open Piobaireachd. The overall winner was Bruce Gandy from Nova Scotia who placed second in both events.

Haley Brinton wins Pimp My Bagpipe! contest – receives brand new Henderson pipes!
Posted: 15/01/07

Twelve-year-old Haley Brinton of Dunedin, Florida, is the first-ever winner of the pipes|drums “Pimp My Bagpipe!” contest sponsored by R.G.Hardie & Co. Bagpipe Makers of Glasgow. Haley's entry to the contest was selected from the dozens of other submissions as the instrument and piper most deserving of a complete bagpipe make-over.

But, after considering the images of Haley's pipes, Alastair Dunn of R.G. Hardie decided to take things one step further.

Instead of just having her dire pipes refurbished, Haley will receive a brand new set of She will receive a set of Henderson PH1 bagpipes with engraved nickel mounts, personally set up by Dunn, the winner of the 2006 Highland Society of London's Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting, and ready to play. The pipes sell for a suggested retail price of $2,250 (£1000).

The design of the nickel is from Hardie's new 2007 collection being launched later in January, and the complete instrument will be ready for Haley in about four weeks. Readers can click here to listen to the new-model pipes.

"My piping career began in 2002 at age eight under the direction of Sandy Keith," Haley says. "When I was ready for pipes Mr. Keith gave me a set he had purchased from a piper to help her raise money for college. They were in terrible shape. They had no bag and hadn’t been played in years. The ferules were missing, the wood cracked and repaired with electrical tape, and the ring-caps had been repaired by someone that used a billiard ball for the ivory look. Mr. Keith put on a new bag and tried to repair them."

Haley has progressed all the way to Amateur Grade 3 level using the dismal pipes. "These old pipes have served me well but are in desperate need of some ‘pimping’," she writes in her submission to the contest.   "They’ve helped me win quite a few prizes including SUSPBA Champion Supreme Grade 4."

In addition to competing, Haley volunteers her time piping for schools, civic organizations, nursing homes, churches, and community events.

"R.G Hardie is delighted to take part in the 'Pimp My Bagpipe!' competition to refurbish a set of bagpipes," says Dunn. "The winner was very deserving, as her pipes were in bad need of repair but, more importantly, in making our decision she had won contests using the set and progressed from Grade 5 to Grade 3. On examining the photos of her pipes it became apparent that the wood was in bad condition and no amount of 'pimping' would improve the quality of the wood. It was therefore decided that she would be awarded a brand new set of PH1 Peter Henderson Bagpipes with one of our new 2007 engraving designs.

"We hope that Haley will enjoy playing her new pipes and continue to have more success."

Congratulations to Haley Brinton on winning the first pipes|drums "Pimp My Bagpipe!" contest . . . and then some. We thank the many readers who entered the competition, and wish everyone all the best for the future.

R.G Hardie & Co. Sponsor CLASP - Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers
Posted: 20/11/06

CLASP – The Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers set up and administered by the National Piping Centre is delighted to announce that RG Hardie & Co will be sponsors for the 2006/2007 CLASP competition season.

As part of a new Arts & Business funding initiative which encourages new arts sponsorship with a matched funding programme, R.G Hardie & Co have pledged financial support to CLASP.

RG Hardie are manufacturers of fine quality bagpipes, Piping Accessories and Pipe Band Highland Wear here in Scotland. The company is part of the St Kilda Group, that includes Gaelic Themes and St Kilda Retail, Vernon Tailoring and other highlandwear companies.

The National Piping Centre’s Principal, Roddy MacLeod commented, “The National Piping Centre is delighted that such a well respected company as R G Hardie & Co has decided to get behind the CLASP initiative and to support Amateur Competitive piping for adults. We hope that it will be a fruitful relationship which will raise awareness of CLASP and also bring attention to the excellent new products and bagpipes which R G Hardie & Co are now bringing to the piping market place.”

The St Kilda Group’s Managing Director, Scott Chalmers added “The National Piping Centre is a world renowned institution and its activities and innovations add hugely to the piping family worldwide and Scotland’s cultural heritage overseas. We are delighted to assist their endeavours."

Kegan Sheehan wins Engraved Nickel Peter Henderson Bagpipes
Posted: 10/11/06

Kegan won the recent  Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Piping Competition held in Albany New York. The standard of the competition was reported to be very high with Kegan being a worthy winner. The Nicol-Brown competition is dedicated to Robert Brown and Robert Nicol (“The Bobs of Balmoral”) who both shared a passion for piobaireachd. This competition showcases the finest amateur pipers from North America. RG Hardie & Co. are keen to support young up and coming pipers, who will appreciate a hand crafted set of Peter Henderson Bagpipes. Hardies will be sponsoring a set of Henderson Bagpipes at the Metro Cup Amateur Competition in New Jersey, February 2007.

Stay tuned for more Pimp My . . .! contests on pipes|drums!

FMMPB win 2006 World Pipe Band Championships
Posted: 07/11/06

The Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe band won their fifth world title at Glasgow Green on 12th August. The band won both the Medley and March, Strathspey and Reel events to take the coveted RSPBA Jubilee trophy back to Northern Ireland.

The band have enjoyed a tremendous season winning the Scottish, British and All-Ireland Championships together with the recent World Championships. The band finished the season at the Cowal Gathering in Dunoon to win the Champion of  Champions title. They will take a short break before preparing for the 2007 season where they will wear a new tartan designed by St.Kilda and RG Hardie in close consultation with the band.

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band Sponsorship
Posted: 06/11/06

The value of the sponsorship package over its three-year duration is a clear demonstration of the commitment that both parties bring to this agreement. FMMPB are delighted to have the opportunity to work with people committed to quality and excellence in their fields. We are confident that the next few years will see positive developments for both parties. The St Kilda Group, which includes respected manufacturing and wholesale companies such as Gaelic Themes and RG Hardie & Co., will provide a range of products and services to promote and enhance the global image of FMMPB, and the band will assist Group companies in developing their products for the Pipe Band market.