Scotland’s Year of No’ Coming?

February 13, 2009 on 6:24 pm by Michael Grey | In News, Tips | 5 Comments

Like the rest of the pipe band world (minus the marketing maestros leading the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association) I was pretty shocked to read that the international judging team was kicked off Scotland’s judging panel.   When the facts as we know them are laid out it’s impossible to understand the reason behind the decision.

I do hope bands come to their senses and give the world (small, squiggly, funny-looking “w” now) pipe band championships a miss.  It’s feeling like change is in the wind – a change outside the RSPBA.

I can’t imagine Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister, being too thrilled with the alienating policies of the RSPBA.  2009’s “Homecoming” extravaganza is his baby.  I’m a reader of Scottish news sites and note the omnipresence of “Come Home”/Homecoming banner ads.  Well-made banner ads aside, Scotland is not feeling all that welcoming today. 

Glasgow’s City Council, too, will be a bit crabbit, I’d think, that RSPBA decision-making is sowing the seeds for a mass exodus of potentially thousands of holidaying pipe band people and their families from August world’s week — and the excellent Piping Live festival.  Even QE2 wouldn’t be joyfully running with her corgi’s knowing that Scotland’s “Royal”-designated pipe band organization seems to be going out of their way to marginalize commonwealth countries.   

Anyway, I’m sure the RSPBA receives no government support of any kind and, in turn, is free to direct policy as they see fit.

So, I wish them all the best.

I’m off tae Lorient!

M.