A good article

View:-

http://www.heraldscotland.com/life-style/real-lives/world-pipe-band-championship-special-1.1047043

Interesting article.
As a tenor drummer I always enjoy watching Shotts. I know they have their critics, but I was a little surprised the other day when someone described them (paraphrase) as a fall of grace into a novelty act, and included their choice of music as part of the demise. I don't know the first thing about music choice for competition but it seemed the comment was a little harsh.
I found the bit about the popularity of piping in Scotland interesting. Lots of people here in Aus seem to think you'll find a piper on every corner in Scotland. Yet Scots living here, for as little as 5 years, say that they've seen more bands here at every day events than they ever saw back home. In Scotland you have to go looking for them, or go to a competition.

I enjoyed that article thanks Ron, mainly because for me *back in the good old days* Shotts were the pinnacle of a Piper or drummers dream, to play for them(okay I was young and easily led) but I can remember especially at Cowal, being a local lad growing up with the Cowal games the highlight of the year, that would ineviatbly end up with Shotts being champions.
I always wore the kilt right up to starting Senior School, and can remember being teased continuously by class mates, who although Scottish thought it Sissy to wear it, the only time you say anyone wearing the kilt was at weddings, or Cowal weekend, when all the so called "traditionaists" appeared to show their support, the local kilt hire shop made their money that weekend.
It is even more of a spectacle these days I should imagine, which i find rather sad, I am fiercely proud of my Scottish roots, I love wearing my kilt and wish that i got about more so i could wear it oftener, so like the disappearing peipers on street corners? so it must be for the kilt wearers