First of five 2011 RSPBA championships Saturday

The town of Dumbarton, Scotland, will once again host the Scottish Pipe Band Championships, the first of the RSPBA’s five major competitions, with some 140 bands entered, including 13 in Grade 1.

With Field Marshal Montgomery enjoying a win against 2010 World Champions St. Laurence O’Toole at the Co. Tyrone Championships on May 14th at Dungannon, Northern Ireland, ScottishPower also beginning its season on a strong note and a strong finish to the 2010 campaign by Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia, many see the premier grade opening up to varied results.

Fife Constabulary, House of Edgar-Shotts & Dykehead, Inveraray & District and the Lothian & Borders Police have also shown an improved standard for 2011. Dysart & Dundonald returns to the Grade 1 scene after a break of several years from competing. Both Shotts and Strathclyde Police will be starting the season with new pipe-majors.

“This year might see a major shake-up at the top, and the Grade 1 standard could be that much better,” said one Grade 1 band member who commented, but requested not to be named. “It’s going to be a great season.”

Eighteen bands are entered in the Grade 2 medley competition. Grade 1 calls for an MSR

The contest is going ahead despite the withdrawal of sponsors Chivas Brothers over a marketing campaign that it deemed a contravention of its policies.

Stay tuned to pipes|drums for results from the 2011 Scottish Championships as they are announced on Saturday.