Worlds Apart

Firstly I have to apologise for there being no record of the Arran trip, this was due to lack of time. I can however announce that there were no casualties, nobody fell off the boat and the 400m dash while pushing a trolley full of beer was won by our own Wee Eck, well done!

In other news:

The Scottish Weekend

Isn’t it always the case that just when you get your mojo back and are ready to compete everywhere you get roped into a flitting and miss the Scottish Championships.

Paisley, Pipes, pubs n parties

Paisley is our local competition, this small competition is getting bigger every year or would do if everyone registered turned up. The sound of the pipes and drums breaking off of the flagstones isn’t replicated at any other competition I’ve attended and the location in the town centre means maximum economic boost to the local shops and not the usual suspects in burger vans.

The Doldrums

After the European Championships there is a hiatus in our pipe band life, if you feel the urge to go abroad this is the time to do it. Spend some quality time with your family, read a book, knit a jumper etcetera etcetera (To quote Top Cat). 

Championnat d’Europe 2017

I’ve taken a bit of time to write this as there was a lot to ruminate on. The European Championships are the only awayday overnight event we have as a band this year and historically it’s been messy.

A Different Park

Helensburgh Highland Games caused a lot of hilarity this year by simply moving to another park. Pipey announced it wasn’t in Hermitage Park but had moved to Eastend Park.

Wind in Ardrossan

Ardrossan Highland Games promises many things but the most important is a long lie in on a Sunday. The luxury of waking up at 9:30 and realising you haven’t slept in and can in fact roll over for a wee cozy doze if you fancy was savoured by all except Scooby who was up with the sparrows delivering newspapers.

Lilias Day 2017

As a band we have played in some ferocious weather; the annual Gourock monsoon, Erskine’s arctic blast and the blistering heat of Glasgow that cooked your feet in your shoes but this year Lilias Day provided a new twist.

The Tartan Brits

The British Pipe Band Championships came to town and transformed St James’s football pitches into something far grander and I’m not playing:

gutted and in the huff.

Gourock again

Sunday the 14th was forecast for proper Gourock Highland games weather and as such Pipey had made contingency plans and we’d be sharing a gaff with the boys n girls of Lower Clyde. However as I shambled toward the bus in kilt and dark glasses it was hard to miss the head splitting brightness and the racket the birds were making.