Current Show

Lorne is joined by Alasdair Campbell, ex Labour government advisor and spokesman, ahead of releasing his new book on his experiences of mental health and how music, bagpipes in particular, can help.  He discusses his work, his late brother Donald, his Tiree connections and a special technique he uses to fight off depression.

Coming to you in in a time of lockdown here at PlanetPipe HQ in Scotland, a slightly different sort of show this time.  As well as tracks from new releases, I’ve asked some of our PlanetPipe regulars to contribute some recordings - made at home - for us to play - we’ll hear Roddy MacDonald, Willie McCallum, Ross Ainslie, Fraser Fifield and Lincoln Hilton.  I’ll also have a chat and a tune from Scott Wood, from Skerryvore to tell us about their “Everyday Heroes” charity single. You can donate to the NHS Charities COVID-19 Urgent Appeal - virginmoneygiving.com/fund/NHSCharitiesCOVID19 View the Skerryvore Single here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjrAfy2v63c Thanks to Ross Ainslie (rossainslie.bandcamp.com), Scott Wood (scottwoodmusic.com), Fraser Fifield (fraserfifield.bandcamp.com), Lincoln Hilton (www.mdpiping.com), RS MacDonald, Willie McCallum and Skerryvore.  

The amazing story of piper Andrew Shilliday and how an auto-immune disease robbed him of his fingers.  He's back playing again and we hear how!  There's also music from Runrig, Beinn Lee, Gary Innes, Breabach, Rura and Beolach.

We chat to the creator of the highly successful one man show based on the influence of Gordon Duncan.

We feature some of the highlights from the upcoming festival in Glasgow as well as a short chat with Festival Director, Roddy MacLeod.

This week we outside a village hall in Canada, chatting to Alan MacLeod - the very first piper to ever use Highland Bagpipes in a folk band.

Iain McInnes joined us back in 2010 when he released his new album “Sealbh”.  He joined us in the studio for a chat about the album as wells as the developments in bellows blown pipes over the last century.  There’s also music from Canterach and the Treachurous Orchestra.

Music from one of the greatest musicians and composers of traditional music in the 21st Century, Fraser Shaw ahead of the launch of two post-humous projects including a book and album.

With the sad news of Norman's passing, we look back to the day he wandered the World Pipe Band Championships from 2006. As well as an entertainer he was a highly skilled piper and composer so also have music from Norman himself and a host of other great bands who play his tunes. Griogair pays a tribute to him in his own words.  There's also lots of new music from Ross Ainslie, Fiddlers' Bid, Mary Anne Kennedy featuring Jarlath Henderson and more.

The "World's Most Recorder Piper" joins us in Glasgow's Waxy O'Conners as he passes through from London after the Titanic Soundtrack's Anniversary concert in London which he performs on.  He chats bagpipes for the movies and more.

Fergus Muirhead speaks about his fascinating new book, A Piper”s Tale. Also on PlanetPipe there is new music from Ross Ainslie, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, James Duncan MacKenzie and more from Fred Morrison and Jamie McMenemy.

We speak to Bill Livingstone about his new album "Northern Man" and also hear music from Julie Fowlis and more.

Archy Jay joins me for a chat about her unique career as India's first professional female bagpipe player - we chat instruments, inspiration and more. Also a heap load of new music including new released from Gary Inness.

Australian composer, piper and arranger Lincoln Hilton is out guest on this weeks’ show and we hear some great new tracks from him as well as music from Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, Mark Saul, Roddy MacLeod and the Scottish Power Pipe Band. Visit Lincoln’s site here to get those great tunes he is playing!

As well as a lot of fiddle music we chat to Michael Grey about the upcoming tribute to a classic 78th Fraser Highlanders Concert in Glasgow next year.  There's a lot more if you take the Tartan Rocket to PlanetPipe!  Get in touch - studio@planetpipe.com.

A chat with Scott Wood about his band, Celtic Connections gig and more then there's also new music from Breabach and Jarlath Henderson!

Not enough room for much music on this weeks’ show with Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton and their chat – they tell us about growing up under the leadership of Gordon and Ian Duncan, their careers so far and – most importantly – their new album that’s getting released at Piping Live in August this year!

Old and new music from the Battlefield Band, a chat with their piper Mike Katz, music from the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia, NiteWorks and more on the second PlanetPipe for October.  Get in touch with us – studio@planetpipe.com with request, feedback or just to say Hello!

Jim Sutherland joins us for a chat about his pipe related projects as well as recording pipes. Theres also music from Donald Black, Gordon Duncan and Julie Fowlis.

We speak to the great RS MacDonald - one of the greatest composers of pipe music in recent times.  He discusses his creative process, piping background and more.

It's a nice day, so we head outside of National Youth Pipe Band Director Alisdair McLaren's work at the Piping Centre in Glasgow to chat about his career and the new album from the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland.

A chat with Iain Morrison from Barra, a piper who has expanded his music into the singer songwriter.

Fred Morrison's got a new alum out and we catch up with Fred in is car she some Carpool before it was invented! Recorded during a brief spell of quietness at 2012's Piping Live.