The 2017 season: questions, questions . . .

Question 10: Ontario rises again?

The 78th Fraser Highlanders made the World’s Final last year after a two-year drought by Ontario-based bands. The 78th Frasers and the Peel Regional Police are skipping the North American Championship in favour of pre-World’s Scottish tune-ups at North Berwick and Bridge of Allan, which shows either how much getting into the Final means to them, or how important an extended Scottish trip is to retaining members. Either way, along with the Toronto Police, it’s crunch time for making their mark on the international stage. Ontario needs a top-six band, and, if it doesn’t happen this year, something, um, major might happen.

+ Grade 1 at Maxville likely only one band

Question 11: Room for the B&B?

For the first time in probably at least three decades, Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia did not feature in any of the five RSPBA championship prize lists – seventh at three, eighth at one and, unfortunately for them, did not make the Final at the World’s. It was a building year for new Pipe-Major Ross Harvey after the sudden retirement of long-time P-M Ross Walker. Expectations were justly lowered in 2016, but in 2017 anticipation is raised for Boghall’s need to succeed. Considering that there is no upstart Spirit of Scotland this year, which edged a few bands, including Boghall out or prizes and qualifiers, it’s a good bet that Boghall will be featuring in the lists again in 2017.