New music competition has a piping hot line-up
Pipe bands from across Scotland will be heading to Crieff this weekend for the inaugural Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association competition ... writes Rachel Blackburn.
The event, at Strathearn Community Campus, will open with music from the Crieff High School Pipe Band at 11am on Saturday August 27.
This will be followed a competition featuring pipe bands from as far afield as St Andrews and Penicuik plus solo piping and drumming competitions for juniors.
The day-long free event includes a BBQ, stalls and licensed bar and will end with a march of the Massed Bands at around 5pm.
The Chieftain for the day will be Frances Sweeney and she will take the salute from the Massed Bands before announcing the results at the end of the day.
The competition has been organised by staff at the campus in conjunction with the RSPBA, local piping enthusiasts and the High School Pipe Band.
The campus’ business development manager Diane Porter told the Herald: “The piping competitions from Crieff aren’t really happening anymore and the High School Pipe Band approached us about hosting something.
“Local piper Owen Sweeney had also suggested the idea and we thought it was something we could definitely do this year.
“We were pleased to get involved and hopefully this will grow and become a real community event which we can stage every year.
“We’ve had a lot of support and help from Mr Sweeney and two other Crieff pipers Alastair Lowe and June Osborne in organising the event.
“Their passion for pipe bands and knowledge has been invaluable and it’s been great to have them on board.”
The day is open to everyone and also includes ‘Come and Try’ sessions where anyone interested in piping can try out the chanter or drums.
There will also be a courtesy bus running between the High Street, the Station Bar in King Street and the campus throughout the day.
It sets out from outside RS McColl’s in the High Street at 10.50am and will run in a loop until 12.15pm. It then runs again from 1pm until 3.30pm.
Mrs Porter, who is also secretary of Crieff High School Pipe Band, added: “We’re hoping lots of spectators will come along and enjoy the bands and maybe even try out piping themselves.
“It’s also a great opportunity for members of our High School Band who are looking forward to being a big part of the day.”
There are still stalls available for the event and anyone interested in taking one should contact Mrs Porter at the campus on 01764 657620.