We received this anonymous comment regarding the qualifying set up for Grade 2 bands at the Worlds. ‘One bad/ unlucky performance (on an extra day that you have had to take time off work/ fork out extra for accommodation) and you could be in the only group of adult bands that don’t get to play on the Saturday. Very unfair and very shortsighted from the RSPBA.
‘The requirements of Grade 2 are greater, and the field is more competitive, than 3A/3B/4A/4B but there is now a good chance you won’t get to play on the big day? It’s bad enough that they won’t promote bands full of Grade 1 players (and some highly successful soloists). Is it just money grabbing from the RSPBA?
‘The average player in a Grade 1 is a professional – the sacrifice vs achievement just about justifies a two day comp for them. 80% of the G2 field don’t even have a chance of winning against bands that should be in G1. Imagine making the journey across the Atlantic and getting knocked out on the Friday morning? LA Scots and Peel were both mid-table last year at the Worlds, potential to be out of the running after the Friday.’
Valid points I’d say, but the Grade 2 qualifying ‘exclusion’ round on the Friday mentioned above only kicks in if there are more than 24 bands entered. Otherwise all G2 bands play both days. Last year there were 21.
Same for G1. Friday only becomes a qualifier if there are more than 19 bands entered. If the numbers of Scottish Grade 1 bands are anything to go by we will be well short of that figure this August. Last year we had 14 in Grade 1.
Oban & Inverness
Entries for the Argyllshire Gathering (August 26/27) and the Northern Meeting (September 3/4) close at midnight on January 31st. This is for all senior competitions. There will be no late entries allowed I am told. £50 covers entry to all senior competitions at Oban and the same fee applies at Inverness. Places at both are limited as everyone knows. Eligibility will be finalised at the end of next month and pipers notified right away.
Book Festival
Writer Richard McLauchlan: I wonder if you’d be so kind as to draw your readers’ attention to two events that may be of interest at this year’s Kirkcudbright Book Festival. I’ll be speaking about my book (The Bagpipes: A Cultural History) at 5pm on Saturday 7 March at the Kirkcudbright Pipe Band Hall, Daar Road, DG6 4LG, with the title – suggested by the organisers! – ‘How bagpipes made Scotland and the world’. I would be delighted to see as many of your readers there as possible. Full details here.
I also see that the following day, Saturday 8 March, Gary West will be speaking about his book (Brave New Music: The Martyn Bennett Story) at 2.30pm at Dark Art Distillery with the title ‘From the revival of folk music to the new music of Martyn Bennett’.
Florida Academy
The 2026 Florida Pipe & Drum Academy will run from February 22-27 in the St Marywood Retreat, St Johns, Jacksonville. Piping tutors are myself, Barry Donaldson, Matt Pantaleoni and Bill Caudill. For sides we have Stephen Creighton of SLOT and for bass and tenor Fergus Bryce of Inveraray.
Registrations are as healthy as ever but Principal Chris McKeown tells me he can still take a few more. Join the fun here. The North East Florida Games follow the school on Saturday March 1.
Fints on the Rise
Pat Byrne writes in response to recent communications on the Fintan Lalor band in Dublin: Pat writes, ‘The band is still active and meet regularly for a few tunes. We would dearly love to be a competing band again.
‘To any pipers or drummers north or south, who are not now playing with a band, we would like you to consider building our band again. Please contact any of the following: Tommy Stevens 003532524709, Hugh Ivory 003532382312, Pat Byrne. 00353872379822.’
Come on everyone, help restore this once great band to its former glory.
Come on everyone’Highland Bagpipe Music’ by Donald Morrison – digital book
This book was first produced shortly before Donald died in 1988. Languishing out of print, it surfaced in 2021 following contact between Piping Press editor Robert Wallace and Donald’s daughter Sheona. Sheona agreed that it should be offered to the piping public once more at nominal cost, the aim being to preserve her father’s musical legacy. Donald Morrison was the complete piper a fine teacher, composer and soloist. He won the Gold Medal, the Bratach Gorm and many other top…
