Attractions at the Games:
• Pipe Bands
• Solo Piping
• Highland Dancing
• Tossing the Caber
• Throwing the Hammer
• Putting the Stone
• Tug o’ War
• Track Events
• Children’s Races
• Cycling
• Massed Pipe Bands Parade
• Stalls and Catering
A fun day out for the whole family!
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Piping
Event
30a March, Strathspey & Reel — Juniors 14 years and under (Open)
30b March, Strathspey & Reel — Juniors 15 to 17 years (Open)
31 Best Player of Marches ) Confined to players born or resident
32 Best Player of Strathspeys & Reels ) in Perthshire
Piping Championship of Perthshire decided on aggregate of Events 31 and 32
33 Best Player of Marches (Open)
34 Best Player of Strathspeys & Reels (Open)
35 Best Player of Jigs (Open)
GRAND PIPE BAND CONTESTS
(under Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Rules)
Commencing 1.00 pm prompt
Supported by The Rotary Club of Pitlochry and The Vale of Atholl Pipers Association, and the Wilson Family, Pitlochry
Grade One: 1st Prize - Shield + £360 ~ 2nd Prize £310
Grade Two: 1st Prize - Trophy + £290 ~ 2nd Prize £230
Grade Three: 1st Prize - Trophy + £220 ~ 2nd Prize £160
Grade Four: 1st Prize - Trophy + £150 ~ 2nd Prize £100
Novice/Juvenile: 1st Prize - Trophy + £100 ~ 2nd Prize £80
Drumming Prize: Trophy + £110
Drum Majors' Demonstration at approximately 4.45pm
BELL'S BLAIR ATHOL DISTILLERY
Drum Major Quaich awarded to the best Drum Major
The Massed Bands will parade around the Arena at approx. 5.00 pm
PITLOCHRY HIGHLAND GAMES PARADE -(commencing 11.45 am)
Supported by The Muir Group, Dundarach
Marching and Smartness of Turn-out Competition
1 st Prize £500 ~ 2nd Prize £300 ~ 3rd Prize £200
Bands to play from the Railway Station and march down Atholl Road to the railway bridge at Ferry Road. Bands judged on Marching and Smartness of Turnout.
SOLO PIPING
EDRADOUR TROPHY
For the Best Junior Piper in Event 30a
ATHOLL HIGHLANDER CUP
For the Best Junior Piper in Event 30b
MAJOR BUTTER CUP
For the Winner of the Championship of Perthshire Solo Piping — Events 31 and 32 Sponsored by Pitlochry Opticians
plus
by kind donation of Bannatyne Ltd
1 Medium Hide Zipper Bag
1 Bannatyne Canister Moisture Control System
1 set of Bannatyne PowerTone Tufnol Drone reeds
BELL'S BLAIR ATHOL DISTILLERY PIPING QUAICH
for the winner of the Overall Piping - Events 33-35
plus
by kind donation of Bannatyne Ltd
1 Bannatyne Wooden Pipe Chanter
SOLO PIPING JUDGES
D McDairmid ~ W Drysdale ~ S Spence ~ G West
The Great Highland Bagpipe
The Bagpipe is synonymous with Scotland, and we are proud today to carry on the traditional piping competitions that are part of our heritage. It is thought the earliest piping competitions took place between pipers of friendly clans. Other clan members held the Clan Chief's piper in high esteem. Indeed the piper often actually received an annual fee.
Piping was banned after the battle of Culloden. However, the tradition was kept alive by the tunes being sung and new tunes being recorded by what was known as mouth music. It is ironic that we owe the resurgence of Bagpipe music today to the British army, who use the uplifting music to encourage men into battle. Pipers have been the recipients of the Victoria Cross for gallantry.
You will notice, unlike other musicians, that no piper either solo or bandsman plays from music. This is the culmination of many hours of practice to commit every note, every embellishment of every tune, to memory. The other major difference between the piper and other woodwind or brass musician is that he cannot use his tongue to play double or triple notes.Because the air directly to the chanter comes from the bag, and not the piper's mouth, he cannot influence it by using his tongue. This means all the double and triple notes need to be made by the piper's fingers alone. This requirement make the bagpipe very difficult to master. It has been said, it is one of the most difficult instruments to learn to play.
Today, you will enjoy the finest examples of piping competition from both Solo Players and Pipe Bands alike, and at the end of the games you will witness one of the most memorable and emotional sites, when all the bands form up and play as one in a Massed Band Parade around the arena - make sure you have your camera ready.