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
| 1st prize | 2nd prize | 3rd prize 4th prize | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 and Juvenile | Trophy + £550 | £400 | £350 £150 |
| Grade 4A and NJA | Trophy + £400 | £350 | £300 £150 |
| Grade 4B and NJB | Trophy + £350 | £300 | £250 £150 |
| Drumming Prize | Trophy + £110 | ||
Drum Majors' Demonstration at approximately 4.45pm
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
EDRADOUR CALEDONIA PIPE BAND PARADE
Commencing at 11:40am.
Marching and Smartness of Turn-Out Competition
- 1st 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.
Piping championship of Perthshire decided on aggregate of events 32 & 33.
- Edradour Trophy
- for the Best Junior Piper in Event 35.
- Atholl Highlander Cup
- for the Best Junior Piper in Event 36.
- Major Butter Cup
- sponsored by Pitlochry Estates for the Winner of the Championship of Perthshire Solo Piping — Events 37 and 38.
- Blair Athol Distillery Piping Quaich
- for the winner of the Overall Piping - Events 39 and 40.
- Perthshire Junior Piping League
- Covering games throughout Highland Perhshire during the year, culmunating in Pitlochry.. Prizes kindly dnoated by Crieff Highland Gathering Trust.
- Sandy Spence Memorial Trophy
- for the Best Player of 6/8 Marches in Event 41.
Piobraireachd
limited to entry of 20 and sponsored by The Piobaireachd Society.
Best overall piper receives an Edradour Presentation Pack.
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.