Squeaky bum time in Scotland with start of outdoor band season

A winter of hard work comes down to reality for many bands with the start of the outdoor competition season in the UK at Dunbar, Scotland, on May 10, which also marks the debut of the new Grade 1 Fife Constabulary Pipe Band, formed in the off-season by former members of House of Edgar-Shotts & Dykehead. Dunbar is followed on Sunday by band competitions on the opposite, west coast of Scotland at Gourock.

In addition to Fife Constabulary, Robert Wiseman Dairies Vale of Atholl and the Grampian Police are expected to make the trip to Dunbar to compete in Grade 1, as are Grade 2 Torphichen & Bathgate, which will play up.

Gourock has a slightly larger entry in Grade 1, with the Lothian & Borders Police and ScottishPower making the trip. Grade 2 bands Mauchline & District, Johnstone and Lomond & Clyde will challenge up in the event.

“It’s squeaky bum time,” said one pipe-major, referring to the nervousness that will inevitably emerge to start the season. Both competitions are known for unpredictable weather, with Dunbar’s wind often an additional challenge.

Watch pipes|drums for results from both events as they become available.

Squeaky bum time in Scotland with start of outdoor band season

A winter of hard work comes down to reality for many bands with the start of the outdoor competition season in the UK at Dunbar, Scotland, on May 10, which also marks the debut of the new Grade 1 Fife Constabulary Pipe Band, formed in the off-season by former members of House of Edgar-Shotts & Dykehead. Dunbar is followed on Sunday by band competitions on the opposite, west coast of Scotland at Gourock.In addition to Fife Constabulary and Robert Wiseman Dairies Vale of Atholl are expected to make the trip to Dunbar to compete in Grade 1, as are Grade 2 Grampian Police and Torphichen & Bathgate, which will play up.Gourock has a slightly larger entry in Grade 1, with the Lothian & Borders Police and ScottishPower making the trip. Grade 2 bands Mauchline & District, Johnstone and Lomond & Clyde will challenge up in the event.”It’s squeaky bum time,” said one pipe-major, referring to the nervousness that will inevitably emerge to start the season. Both competitions are known for unpredictable weather, with Dunbar’s wind often an additional challenge.Watch pipes|drums for results from both events as they become available.p|dWhat do you think? We always want to hear from our readers, so please use our comments system to provide your thoughts!Do you have news? Be sure to send your information to pipes|drums. We can’t report what we don’t know about! Please remember to support the businesses that advertise and make the not-for-profit p|d possible.