The End of Season Takeaway

It would be too easy to say that the end of season party always gets out of hand. We honestly try every year to add a bit of gravitas and decorum, even going to the extent of inviting church elders, Session Clerks, youth leaders, teachers, wives, Scouts and even a Basset hound to keep it ‘grown up’ but still, as predictable as winter, it gets messy.

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Winning in Cowal

I don’t want to start sounding like a broken record but; early, early, early. The bus left at 6:16, IN THE MORNING! Thankfully the guys at Bobbins were on hand to provide breakfast rolls, sausage, bacon and scrambled egg. It was a long time till lunch so I tried all three and they were delicious, I tempered mine with Laphroaig sauce. James the Hat had some whisky but he didn’t inhale because he’s been drappt from the Drappt and is helping out the band with his keen sense of timing and strong right hand.

Thon Worlds

It begins early; uniform on, shoes polished, urns filled, car loaded and everything double checked lest we get a visit from the Idiot Box. It’s World Pipe Band Championship Saturday, the weather is just the good side of rubbish and we are on when God fearing people should be in bed.

Late Worlds Week

After apologising to James the Hat for traducing his name by association it’s time for a wee report on Piping Live and the influx of pipers and drummers to Glasgow.

Not Being That Guy

I think Pipey is arranging these early starts to punish us, we headed to Wemyss Bay in the grey morning light for our rendezvous with a ferry for our second trip overseas. Thankfully the bus was only an hour late. I personally owe Rothesay an apology from last year and don’t intent to be that guy this year.

Scotland in Miniature

The bus left really early, the ferry to Arran is always busy on Brodick Games day with kilties, wee dancer lassies in hair nets and Crocks™ and the regular round of ramblers, golfers, Canadians, cyclists and chanty wrestlers.

Dumbarton is Scottish for Wet

We of the Drappt are not used to these early Saturday mornings any more but James the Hat and I had decided that we’d cheer on our gallant bandmates and play in the march past, I’ve been practicing Highland Laddie after a small sherry in anticipation.

Achi Baba Parade

Just a short note on our outing to Gourock on the 8th of July to support the Argyll Association’s remembrance parade. The weather was threatening but this is usual in Gourock.

Last Foray to Forres

On this, the last, trip to Forres the bus was leaving in the early evening, travellers were warned that it wasn’t waiting so be there early. The usual bus rules were in place prohibiting the consumption of alcohol and no number twos in the toilet. The plan isn’t rocket science;

Struck Dumb in Helensburgh

Helensburgh Pipe Band Competition begins for me the Thursday before the actual event with a frantic round of Hunt the Lift. Everyone is looking very smug as they tell me they’ve arranged to go with so ‘n’ so and the car’s full. Oh no! What to do?