From our correspondent in another (muddy) field, this time in Stirlingshire. Best band on parade were 4 Scots Royal Regiment of Scotland (pictured above)….
For those overseas bands making the jaunt from North Berwick via their accommodation in Glasgow, to BofA, there might have been precious little drying time for brogues, kilts and glengarries.
On an overcast early morning, rain was expected later in the day and it arrived around 12.30 just ahead of Grade 3 starting. Passing showers followed and it was dreich and cool (in the old sense of the word).
The number of bands participating was always going to diminish and there were several no-shows. In 4B (which included Novice B) there were originally 20 names. Fourteen in 4A/Novice A, 19 in Grade 3 (which included Juvenile), 19 in Grade 2 and 10 in Grade 1. Although there was a lot of playing up rostered – for instance, Grade 1 had only two G1 bands out of 10 bands listed. Peel Police were the only G1 band to show – no Scottish Power. St Thomas stepped in to compete in the G1 MSR, playing up.
In this set up, Bridge of Allan Games has a myriad of sports competitions going on around the field. There is a 200m running track marked out, a sprint 100m right beside a band circle, heavy events, wrestling, cycling and hundreds of Highland dancers. Great for the attendees, but there are major distractions everywhere so it is a great training opportunity for bands to focus on what they are doing. Despite a loud starter’s gun and constant tannoy commentary elsewhere the pipers on duty for the dancers had a near five hour stint. Let’s hear a big shout for them.
There were many non competing P/Ms, lead drummers, pipers and drummers looking on, perhaps checking out their competition for this coming Saturday at the Worlds. they certainly were not there for the weather. By tea time on Sunday, with no massed bands for the second day running, the prize list as follows:
Grade 1 MSR
1 Pipe Band Club Australia G2
2 Glasgow Skye Association G2
3 Peel Regional Police, Canada
4 St Thomas Alumni USA G2
Grade 2 Medley
1 Glasgow Skye Association
2 St Thomas Alumni, USA
3 Mackenzie Caledonian
4 College of Piping, Summerside, Canada
Grade 3 MSR
1 George Watson’s College Juv (EP)
2 The Highlanders, 4 Scots
3 Robert Malcolm Memorial Juv
4 3rd Batt RRS, Black Watch
Grade 4A/Nov A
1 Oban High School
2 3 Scots
3 Stirling & District Schools
4 Scots School Albury Australia
Grade 4B/Nov B
1 College of Piping Summerside, Canada
2 Oban High School
3 Culter & District
4 Vienna Pipes & Drums
Best band on parade
First: 4 Scots.
Second: 3 Scots.
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