by Megan Canning | Aug 10, 2015
The countdown is on to the World Pipe Band Championships next weekend, held in Glasgow on Friday and Saturday the 14th and 15th of August. The week is full of piping and drumming related festivities, events and opportunities to hear and meet bands from around the world. For those looking to hear or meet members of Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia, here is where you can catch the band this week:
Monday, 10 August 2015
Pipe Sergeant Glenn Brown is competing at the Masters Solo Piping Competition at the National Piping Centre on McPhater Street in Glasgow. The competition, which includes Gold Medalists and Glenfiddich Champions, begins at 9.00 for the Piobaireach event, and 17.00 for the March Strathspey and Reel.
Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia’s drum corps led by Drum Major Jim Kilpatrick MBE will be practicing at Todds Bar, Strathclyde University, at 12.00. The practice will be held outside, pending good weather, and in the case of rain held indoors.
Those wishing to meet Jim or purchase any of his sticks and products can find him at the Todd Bar Roadshow, at the Todd Bar, any day of the week from Monday onwards.
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Pipe Major Ryan Canning and Drum Major Jim Kilpatrick MBE will be performing together at 12.00 at the Street Café at the National Piping Centre as part of the Glasgow International Piping Festival. Ryan and Jim will perform as part of a pipes|drums sponsored event showcasing leading pipe majors and leading drummer duos.
Later in the evening, the full Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band will be holding a practice at the Shotts band hall on Robert Street, in the town of Shotts. Shotts is situated about a half hour from Glasgow, and a direct train link between Glasgow Central and Shotts runs regularly. The band hall is a few minutes walk from the station. All visitors welcome.
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
Piper Iain Crawford will be performing as part of a quartet featured during the launch of Roddy MacLeod’s RJM Chanters at the National Piping Centre at 14.00.
Drum Major Jim Kilpatrick MBE and members of the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Drum Corps will be around Todds Bar for the annual Drumming for Drinks event, a crowd-vote free-for-all drumming competition held at Todds Bar from 1.00. This year Shotts drummer David Mark is amongst the competitors.
Thursday, 13 August 2015
The final day before the World Championships, Shotts is hosting an outdoor practice at Glasgow Green from 12.30, near to the West Brewery pub, pending dry weather. If the weather is likely to rain, the band will be practicing at the band hall. Those wishing to hear the band and looking for updates confirming the practice location can follow the band’s Facebook or Twitter sites, where confirmation of the location will be posted as soon as the decision is made.
Friday, 14 August 2015
The first day of the World Pipe Band Championships begins on Friday, where Grade 1 bands will compete in two qualifying events, vying for a position in the Grade 1 final the following day. Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia has drawn second last in the second qualifying heat, competing at 12.30 in the MSR event, and again at 16.00 in the Medley event.
Saturday, 15 August 2015
Saturday is the final of the World Pipe Band Championships. The Grade 1 final MSR event runs from 10.30-12.30, and the Medley from 15.15 to 17.15. The draw is determined by the qualifying bands from the day before. Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia will be performing in the latter half of each event, pending qualification from the day before.