The World Pipe Band Championships are taking place this week. So some of us headed off to Glasgow Green to soak up the atmosphere, follow the bands and marvel at all the kilted colour. My goodness, these (230!) bands come from all corners of the world and with them come individuals who either play or are interested in bagpipes (of all shapes and sizes). The park was full of bands warming up, drums practicing their routines, men and women, boys and girls all in their band uniforms meeting, greeting and competing.
Big screens were mounted in several locations in the park. In the main (Grade 1) competing arena there was a BBC team filming (live-streaming apparently) giving us both a bird's eye view plus close-up sequences. We have known the days when this event hardly ever got as much as a mention in the Scottish newspapers or if it did it was along the lines of a child fallen asleep on top of a bass drum.
St Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band, Eire with their green kilts and Celtic logo.
Suddenly, to the side of the main area, we recognised a familiar face in the centre of this circle of red kilted players. It was Willie McCallum, THE Champion Piper of Pipers, hard at work tuning up their instruments ... of ... the Heidelberg and District Pipe Band! He is a Glasgow man who lives locally. He has many roles, one of which is his business which makes bagpipes. One of the band told me that he is tutoring them in Germany. Now, that is what I call having The Right Idea! I can confidently predict this will be a band to watch!
I am always amazed that so many folk compete every year. Of course, the Edinburgh Festival is on now and also many players take part in Highland Games that are being held all over the country.
Then there is the pub culture that must be an attraction for so many North American visitors. And for those who aren't attracted to the pubs which are doing a roaring trade in the city, there is always a chance to partake of Scotland's Other National Drink ... shown by that empty can on the grass: Irn-Bru!
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