World Pipe Band Championship 2 days away!

[OC Richard]

For those who don't follow pipe band competition, the World Pipe Band Championships are this Saturday, 13 Aug, in Glasgow Green.

It's the largest and best pipe band event on Earth. (The Edinburgh Tattoo isn't even close.)

There's always well over 200 bands there, around 230 or so. Most of the bands are from the epicentres of piping, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but there are plenty of bands from all over the world: Eire, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, the Middle East. In 2007 there was even a band from Brazil.

For all of those who can't attend in person, the BBC live streams The Worlds on the internet.

It's almost like being there! Except for standing in the rain for eight hours, your ghillies waterlogged, mud splattered all over your white hose, and eight thousand pipers and drummers trying to pack themselves into a single Beer Tent.

There's voiceover commentary by Bob Worrall, which I like because he hears quite a few things I can't hear.

I'll be up at 1am this Saturday, seeing how our local guys The LA Scots do in the Grade One Qualifying Heat. (In Grade One, a certain number of bands prequalify for the Final in the afternoon; all the rest have to qualify in the morning.)

[RussellSm]

I too will be viewing the WPBC via the BBC live feed. However, we have arranged for it to be on a big screen hdtv. Looking forward to the event.

I agree, you could not have a better commentary then one from Bob. It is true he hears a lot of things. I know from experience having competed in band comp with him judging.

[Jimmy]

Alas, you seem to have the forecast correct


It's almost like being there! Except for standing in the rain for eight hours, your ghillies waterlogged, mud splattered all over your white hose, and eight thousand pipers and drummers trying to pack themselves into a single Beer Tent.

[English Bloke]

I'm "flat out Harry" at the minute but I'm trying to break up my hectic schedule to get up to these championships. If I do make it I'll be the Bloke in the Bruce with a Dandelion in mee buttonhole... Like you do.

[Nick the DSM]

What time should we be looking at the live stream for those of us across the pond?

[EagleJCS]

The preliminary round for the top bands starts at 4am EDT (9am Glasgow time) - the finals start at 7:30am EDT (12:30pm in Glasgow).

[Jimmy]

Latest weather forecast is an improvement, Scotland's weather as we know is so changeable, looks like it is going to be dry most of the afternoon with rain in the evening, so hopefully the worlds will be over before the rain comes

[OC Richard]

That's good news Jimmy.

In 2007 it rained all day and all the bands were fighting the weather, trying to get the pipes tuned but having to avoid playing them too much.

I recently watched the DVD of the G1 Final from 2007 and many of the finest bands in the world had mediocre tone.

I was there that day... and at Bridge of Allan, where likewise it rained all day and they had to cancel the March Past. All the band's coaches were stuck in the mud and had to be towed out by local farmers' tractors.

Good weather is specially good news to bands coming from dry places like California and Australia.

[Jimmy]

Certainly this year could be a classic with so many first class bands participating, Will the Republic of Ireland's St. Lawrence O'Toole retain their championship or from the North of Ireland, the Montgomery triumph. Perhaps the Simon Fraser from across the pond or will home grown talent topple these giants.

[creagdhubh]

I last attended the championship - as a well informed spectator - in 2007. What a superb time I had in Glasgow - such a fun city! P/M Jack Lee and the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band are simply astounding (and sounded very much in good tone and top form, to me)! I actually just had a visit at SFU in Vancouver a couple of days ago...beautiful campus.

Cheers,