Another Band Folds/ Piobaireachd Society News/ RSPBA Annual Fees

Another pipe band, the Vale of Atholl Grade 2, has folded. However, the name will continue with the organisation’s newly-promoted Grade 3b band. P/M Jamie Falconer has also decided to leave the band organisation. In a statement the Vale said the decision to disband had not been taken lightly. Focus will now be on building up their 3b band with a programme of youth development. The statement read: ‘The decision…

Capping Band Numbers: Readers Respond Part 2

This important topic continues to engage the pipe band community, writes the Editor. A further range of opinions is printed below. People are clearly very concerned at a situation which leaves Scotland with only five Grade 1 bands. Surely something must be done to arrest this ongoing decline? Thanks once more to everyone who has contributed. Andrew Young: I feel a Grade 1A and 1B would work better with a…

Capping Band Numbers: Readers Respond

A range of responses to the ongoing debate on the demise of Grade 1 bands, writes the Editor. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write. However I feel it is significant that nowhere in any of the correspondence is any alternative solution offered. Plenty of negativity but nothing positive. One readers seems happy with only six Scottish G1 bands. (It’s actually five unless Police & Federation get back…

Editor’s Notebook: A Cap on G1 Bands/ Donald’s Powder Horn/ Winter School/ Pic ID/ Ross Miller

I’ve heard a suggestion that the RSPBA are about to survey bands to ask their attitude to caps on numbers. I hope this chatter is a matter of fact. It would demonstrate a responsible response by the authorities to the disaster of losing two grade one bands in Closkelt and Johnstone, the root cause of which is a lack of personnel. I hope the bands respond positively but am not…

More Information on Instrumental Teaching Following Row Over Director’s Comments

On request, the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT) have supplied figures regarding instrumental teaching in schools. It follows the furore two weeks ago over comments by a Head of Education in Ayrshire saying she would rather have pupils ‘on the tools’ than learning music. The 2024 figures show almost 66,000 Scottish schoolchildren receiving music instruction, demonstrating the ongoing appeal of these lessons, and likely reflecting the impact of…