The 20 most-read pipes|drums news stories of 2018

RSPBA announces regradings – now four fewer Grade 1 bands

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association made a few bold moves after its 2018 competition season, demoting four bands to Grade 2. Many in the pipe band world interpreted the move as something of a recalibration of the ultimate grade, paring off the bottom end, simultaneously improving the overall Grade 1 and Grade 2 standards. Non-UK bands in the top two grades will have an even tougher time of it trying to break through in August.