Spirit of Scotland assigned to Grade 1
For one of the few times in RSPBA history a new band has been assigned to Grade 1, with the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band to make its debut in the top grade.
The new band plans to compete for the first and only time in 2008 at the World Pipe Band Championships and will take part in the Grade 1 Qualifier.
The only other known times that a new band was graded Grade 1 by the RSPBA’s Music Board and National Council was in 2002 when the now-defunct Glasgow Pipes & Drums formed after most of the members of the established Grade 1 band, David Urquhart Travel, left to start the new group; in 1992 when the short-lived Caledonian Airways Pipe Band was formed; and earlier in 2008 when the new Fife Police Pipe Band reportedly was assigned to Grade 1.Spirit of Scotland plans to wear kilts in the Isle of Skye tartan.
I guess Donald and Alex are getting a chuckle out of this. Been there
was Fife Police not a new band that have been put straight into grade 1?
Another band assigned Grade 1 status on formation was Caledonian Airlines in 1992, led by Ian Roddick and Eric Ward. The band was predominantly made up of former Power of Scotland (ScottishPower) and Shotts players.
Invergordon Distillery Pipe Band under P/M Donald Shaw Ramsay and D/M Alex Duthart, was a new band who were placed in Grade 1 back in the mid-60’s.