Below are readers responses to Ian Forbes’s article on the allocation of points for the 2025 Grade 1 Champion of Champions title. Apart from other issues raised, Ian questioned the wisdom of the RSPBA automatically giving the three bands entered for Saturday’s G1 UK Championship six, five and four points towards the CoC title.
George McIntyre: ‘Why should the three bands that have entered be penalised? After all it’s not their fault the RSPBA have a championship on this date.’
Jackie Smith: ‘The RSPBA just don’t get it – shown by the statement about the three bands having made the effort to attend. All the other G1 bands would have attended, if the date for this UK Championship had been arranged at the normal time, or at a time not during a normal quiet period for bands. Pipers and drummers have other lives and commitments and cannot always drop everything to attend a competition at a date chosen for expediency reasons by the RSPBA.’
David Cross: ‘The RSPBA were advised not to use 12th July but they ploughed on anyway, despite having a chance to change the date. Completely tin-eared. Bands voted with their feet and now you’re left with half a contest. Grade 1, the premier grade is pointless, pardon the pun.’
Brian Lamond: ‘If you want to win it, then go to all the competitions!’
Forres Games
We are grateful to adjudicator Lewis Barclay for forwarding these results from last weekend’s games at Forres.
Piob: 1 Angus MacPhee – Stewart’s White Banner 2 Arran Green – Mackay’s Banner 3 David Stulpner – Patrick Og MacCrimmon’s Lament
March: 1 David Stulpner 2 Arran Green 3 Hector Finlayson
S&R: 1 Angus MacPhee 2 Calum Dunbar 3 David Stulpner
Australian Ladies
Currently enjoying a tour of Scotland are the Presbyterian Ladies’ College Pipe Band, from Melbourne, Australia. Ben Jones, Head of Pipes and Drums, writes: ‘This landmark tour is the first of its kind for the band who over the past two years have transformed from a non-competitive ensemble into one of Australia’s top juvenile bands.
‘Fittingly coinciding with PLC’s 150th anniversary, the tour took the band to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness, the isle of Skye, Glencoe and Loch Lomond, playing at Dunollie Castle, Glasgow Women’s Library, as well as joining forces with the Skye Pipe Band in Portree.
‘The tour’s major highlight is competing in the UK Pipe Band Championships in Edinburgh this Saturday, 12th July. Beyond performing, the students have immersed themselves in Scottish culture and history, with an itinerary packed with castle tours, boat cruises, workshops, Grade 1 band rehearsals, nature walks and historic battlefields — reward for the dedication and passion shown by the band.’
John MacKenzie’s Collection – digital book
First published in 1973, this outstanding collection is re-issued here in digital format with kind permission of the late Pipe Major’s family. The book runs to more than 50 pages. It is offered at a nominal price to cover overheads. It contains outstanding melodies such as the 6/8s Tug Argan Gap and MacNeills of Ugadale, the Wedding Waltz, Neuve Chappelle, Joe McGann’s Fiddle, the Saffron Kilt,…
Yes, it is a cruel this competing business, whether in solos, or bands. I recall a quip by Seamus MacNeil, responding to somebody having difficulty getting to a competition because of other committments:’If you want to win a raffle, you have to purchase a ticket.’
There were many occasions I would have liked to have attended events, to be told by my employer, ‘we are short on the ground and you’ve had it!’
Well said Mr Lamond