Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Scot.) stale news.

1822		J. Hogg Three Perils of Man 29: ‘I came expressly to inform you’ – ‘Came with piper’s news,’ said the lady; ‘which the fidler has told before you’ [F&H].
1837		R.M. Bird Nick of the Woods I 101: ‘That’s piper’s news,’ interrupted one of the young men.