A very sensible comment by drummer John Scullion may have slipped your notice. John was talking about my article on band sizes. Here’s what he wrote: ‘What’s wrong with a max of 25 pipers to sign for a band and 20 being the max number to compete?‘If you want to sign another piper, one has to leave, and the same for the following: 12 snares max for signing, max competing…

By Robert Wallace The bands made the best of the cold, unwelcoming conditions at St James’ Playing Field last Saturday. It is an off-putting sort of place if truth be told. No trees, no shelter of any kind, motorway roar, airport roar, and otherwise lacking in character. If we are to go to the King George V playing fields in nearby Renfrew for 2020 so much the better. The day…

RSPBA Chairman John Hughes has offered support and encouragement to all bands participating in today’s first major of the season, the British at Paisley. Mr Hughes (pictured below) said: ‘On the day of the first Major Championship of the season, I hope you are all feeling satisfied with the hard work and determination that has gone in over the winter. ‘I know a number of you have managed to get…

By the Editor A celebration lunch was held at the Royal Northern and University Club in Aberdeen yesterday to honour John Cruickshank VC and the tune written for him by Dave Mason of Cincinnati and South Africa. Dave flew in specially to play the tune, spending much of his £1,000 prize money in the process. ‘I wouldn’t have had it any other way,’ he said. John and Dave are pictured…

I hear that despite this year’s time lag with the Northern Meeting (it’s a week later than usual), entries for Braemar have topped out at 30 with months to go before the big day (September 7). There were concerns that the overseas contingent, usually so supportive of Braemar, would have headed home after Inverness. Not so it seems and the attraction of the royal gathering remains as strong as ever….