Scottish Pipe Band Championships Underway

Damp conditions confronted the first bands on at today’s Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Levengrove Park, Dumbarton. The picturesque park juts out into the confluence of the rivers Clyde and Leven and as such can be very exposed in high winds.

Levengrove Park

Defending Grade 1 champions Inveraray are pictured above. Today’s competition, the penultimate championship of the pipe band summer, is seen as an important pointer for the World Pipe Band Championships on August 17 and 18, though that must be tempered with caution.

Firstly many overseas bands will not arrive in Scotland until two weeks hence aiming to play at a few minor contests and then the Worlds.

And if we look back at Grade 1 results from previous years we can see how results at the Scottish can have little bearing on what happens on Glasgow Green. First results from today’s contest, featuring 140+ bands, are expected anytime after 6pm. The best official results service is via the RSPBA’s Twitter feed accessed here.

Meanwhile bands have asked the RSPBA for clarity on the draws for the Worlds. Chairman John B Hughes writes on the Association website: ‘Bands have asked for clarity on the process used to place the bands in the qualifying heats of the Worlds. The background to this process comes from a recommendation from the Music Board to the Board of Directors in 2012, and a précis of the relevant paragraph has been reproduced below. This is the process which has been followed since 2013.’ 

Travel info for Dumbarton:
Dalreoch Railway Station and buses into Dumbarton High Street are both within easy walking distance of the park.

Train
Trains run from Glasgow Queen St to Dalreoch Railway Station, which is around an 8 minute walk from Levengrove Park.

Bus
First Bus offer a service from Glasgow to Dumbarton. Visit www.firstgroup.com for timetables and pick up points.

Parking
Visitors are advised that park and pay facility will be available at the venue, however due to the high volume of visitors expected to attend the event, attendees are encouraged to use public transport.

• Stay tuned to Piping Press for our exclusive reports on the Grade 1 and Grade 2 contests.


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