Welcome to The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, the heart and home of Pipe Bands world wide. The RSPBA is the recognised Centre of Excellence for the promotion and development of Pipe Band Music internationally. Its services and facilities include:
education, training and certification in Piping, Drumming, Drum Majoring and Pipe Band Adjudication;
an annual Summer School
an Academy of Pipe Band Musicianship;
setting standards of Pipe Band competition performance;
organising the World, Scottish, British, UK and European Pipe Band Championships as well as the World Solo Drumming Championships;
publishing the official summaries of the results of the 5 Major Championships and the results of other Pipe Band competitions run under RSPBA rules
The RSPBA liaises closely with affiliated Pipe Band Associations world wide.
In response to the revised Government guidelines regarding COVID–19, we have closed our Headquarters building at 45 Washington Street in Glasgow to safeguard our staff, members, and volunteers.
Although our Scottish (25th July) and World (14th /15th August) Championships are still on the calendar at this point in time, we are liaising closely with the promoters of these events West Dunbartonshire Council and Glasgow Life respectively. We are meeting on-line weekly with Glasgow Life to review the situation regarding the Worlds and will advise as soon as any decisions are made.
If you have any trophies still to be returned for any of this year-s Major Championships, please keep hold of these for the time being.
In these trying times we must all do our part to minimise the spread of Coronavirus. Please make sure you keep your friends and family safe and follow the guidelines issued by the Government and health professionals.
In response to the current Coronavirus outbreak (CoVid-19), we have made the decision to cancel the 2020 United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships in Lurgan.
Our decision is based on the latest guidance from the Scottish Government, as well advice taken from our key partners.
Please note this championship will not be rescheduled in 2020.
NORTH OF SCOTLAND CONTESTS BANCHORY POSTPONED / ABERDEEN CANCELLED
22nd March 2020
In response to the current Coronavirus outbreak (CoVid-19), the North of Scotland Branch of the RSPBA, along with the promoters of the Banchory contest scheduled for Sunday 10 May 2020. Has been postponed. This contest may go ahead later in the year as government guidance allows. Also the Aberdeen contest of which we are promoter,and have taken the decision to cancel. These were scheduled for Sunday 21 June 2020
All entry fees paid by bands will be fully refunded.
In response to the current Coronavirus outbreak (CoVid-19), we have made the decision to cancel the 2020 United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships in Lurgan.
Our decision is based on the latest guidance from the Scottish Government, as well advice taken from our key partners.
Please note this championship will not be rescheduled in 2020.
PRECIS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON 14th MARCH 2020
20th March 2020
In light of recent events and also the cancellation of a number of Branch Meetings, here is a precis of the Board of Directors meeting held on the 14th March 2020, the details would have been communicated by the Branch Directors at these meetings.
In response to the current Coronavirus outbreak (CoVid-19), the London and South of England Branch of the RSPBA, as promoters of the Miniband, Quartet and Solo contests on 19th April, the PM Jim McGinn Memorial contest on 17th May, Colchester on 14th June and Corby on 5th July have cancelled all four contests.
All entry fees paid by bands will be fully refunded.
Irene Samson
London and South of England Branch Secretary
In response to the current Coronavirus outbreak (CoVid-19), and after careful consideration and discussions with LCC Live Events Services Ltd, we have made the decision to cancel the 2020 European Pipe Band Championships in Inverness.
Our decision is based on the latest guidance from the Scottish Government, as well advice taken from our key partners.
Please note this championship will not be rescheduled in 2020.
Following the advice given by the government concerning the Corona virus, the committee have taken the decision to cancel the Girvan event scheduled for Sunday 7th June and the Ardorrsan event scheduled for Sunday 14th June in the interests of all concerned.
Any cheques will not be cashed and will be destroyed.
We hope you will understand our reason for this action as our priority must the safety and welfare of our members.
In response to the current Coronavirus outbreak (CoVid-19), the Dundee, Perth & Angus Branch of the RSPBA, as promoters of the Strathmore contest scheduled for Sunday 14th June and the Lochore contest on Saturday 20th June, have cancelled both contests.
All entry fees paid by bands will be fully refunded.
Gary Mair
Dundee, Perth and Angus Branch Secretary
In response to the current Coronavirus outbreak (CoVid-19) and in line with national guidance from the Scottish Government, the Lothian & Borders Branch of the RSPBA, in conjunction with our various partners, have taken the decision to cancel all of our outdoor contests during May and June 2020.
As a result, the following contests are cancelled:
Dunbar Pipe Band Contest which was due to take place on Saturday 16 May 2020.
Innerleithen contest scheduled for Saturday 6 June 2020.
Edinburgh Pipe Band Championships due to take place on Sunday 21st June 2020.
All entry fees will be refunded by the Branch for these contests.
Both Gourock and Helensburgh promoters have taken the hard decision to cancel their 2020 games due to the current government guidelines with regard to the coronavirus outbreak
In response to the current Coronavirus outbreak (CoVid-19), the Dundee, Perth & Angus Branch of the RSPBA, as promoters of the indoor Trios, Minibands and Full Bands contest scheduled for Saturday 18th April and the Dundee Outdoor Contest on Sunday 17th May, have cancelled both contests.
Further, Markinch Highland Games have advised the Branch that the 2020 Games scheduled for Sunday 7th June, are cancelled.
Following the advice given by the government concerning the Corona virus, the committee have taken the decision to postpone this years event scheduled for Saturday 21st March in the interests of all concerned.
The event will be scheduled later in the year when the situation has improved.
After discussions with Renfrewshire Council we received this statement from them late this afternoon.
"In line with national guidance from the Scottish Government on the coronavirus, we have taken the decision in agreement with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) to cancel the British Pipe Band Championships in Paisley, which was due to take place on Saturday 23 May."
Please note this championship will not be rescheduled in 2020.
In response to the current Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), The RSPBA is aware that this is a global crisis, and the situation is changing daily. We are taking our responsibilities to members, supporters, the public and promoters very seriously, and are trying to ensure the least amount of disruption whilst putting their health and safety first.
At this point in time, all of our Major Championship Events are still on the 2020 calendar, and we are in regular contact with the various promoters of these events. We have had preliminary discussions with Paisley (British) and Inverness (European) regarding rescheduling dates to later in the year, and are meeting with Lurgan (UK) at the beginning of April. So, there is a likelihood that these first three championships may move date. However, we must stress that no decisions have yet been taken on any new dates.
The RSPBA Annual General Meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday 14th March 2020, in Glasgow, has been postponed due to the escalating coronavirus situation. The decision to postpone was taken after the Board of Directors considered in detail the advice of both local and national government agencies and is intended to minimise the potential health risk to our membership.
We know and appreciate that our members from across the UK will be disappointed by this late notification, however we have been working to assess the risk from a situation which continues to change rapidly. In the circumstances we believe the right thing to do for our membership is to postpone.
The RSPBA heed all government health advice. Branches and bands are also asked to re-assess all activities during the period of the current pandemic in the interest of the wellbeing of all band members and supporters.
The RSPBA will continue to be vigilant about coronavirus and will of course follow all advice from Health Protection Scotland. We will advise the membership of a new date for the AGM once the situation has improved and restrictions have been lifted.
In light of the recent outbreak of the Novel Corona Virus COVID-19 we have decided in the interest of public health and safety to postpone the event including the RSPBA Adult World Solo Drumming Qualifier until a later date.
The event will now be scheduled to take place later in the year once the situation has improved and restrictions have been lifted.
All entry fees received so far will be refunded in full and cheques returned or destroyed.
We hope that you can understand the reason behind this and that at this time the health and safety of the competitors, judges, spectators and support staff is extremely important.
Please note that Championship Entries for 2020 are now open for bands and drum majors.
Playing requirements, closing dates, draw dates and entries can all be found via our online shop.
We have compiled a Contest Information and Bus Forms Pack which includes full contest details, prize money and bus passes which must be completed separately and returned directly to the event team with payment.
The British Championship is the first one of 2020 and entries close 08 April.
Please remember that all trophies must be returned One Month prior to the contest date. This is the requirement as per the Association’s Constitution and Rules.
We would be obliged therefore if the various trophies were returned as follows:
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Summer School 2020 will be held in Headquarters from Monday 3rd August until Friday 7th August.
After many years away the Summer School returns to its historic home and will take place in the newly refurbished Headquarters of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association in Washington Street Glasgow.
This year sees some new additions to our usual format. The tried and tested program of activity returns for the general group of pipers and drummers.
Following our previous statement on 20th January 2020 regarding the articles in the national press and our discussions with the Office of Scottish Charities Register (OSCR), we can confirm that the information requested was provided by the Board of Directors.
This morning, we received a communication from OSCR advising that they had reviewed the requested information provided by the RSPBA, and determined that the charity trustees (Board of Directors) have demonstrated that decisions were made in the best interests of the charity, and as a result, have decided that there is no further action to be taken and they are closing the file.
Following the articles in the national press last weekend, the Board of Directors would like to state that the Office of Scottish Charities Register (OSCR) have confirmed that there is no formal inquiry into the RSPBA. They have a few questions and we will be providing them with all of the detailed information relating to the refurbishment of 45 Washington Street.
By John B Hughes, Chairman of the Board, The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association
I would like to begin by wishing everyone the compliments of the season and all the very best for 2020. This will be a very significant year for the RSPBA. It is our 90th Anniversary yet it doesn’t seem that long ago we were celebrating our 75th.
I wonder if our founders back in the 1930s would ever have dreamt that we would become such a worldwide movement with the music of the pipe band flourishing in every quarter of the globe and with its centre, its heartbeat, right here in Glasgow? And it is this heartbeat, the newly refurbished Headquarters building in Washington Street - an address known in every country where pipe bands play - that will provide the centrepiece of our 90th Anniversary celebrations.
Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band are delighted to announce that D/M Tom Brown has been awarded an MBE for services to Scottish Traditional Music in the Queen's New Year Honors list.
The final RSPBA events of 2019 took place on Saturday 19th October at the Glasgow Caledonian University.
The annual Andante sponsored World Solo Drumming event as well as the International Solo Tenor competition drew large entries with 154 snare drummers and 59 tenor drummers traveling from all over the World.
Once again we would like to extend our thanks to Nigel Hodgen and his team at Andante for their continued support.
The Adult event was won by Steven McWhirter (Inveraray and District - Scotland). Steven claimed his tenth Adult title after previous wins in 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Steven won the event by 16 points winning both the MSR and Hornpipe and Jig events.
2019 WORLD SOLO DRUMMING ADULT FINAL NOW ON YOUTUE
20th October 2019
We recorded the Adult Final MSR and Hornpipe & Jig at the 2019 World Solo Drumming Championships on 19th October. These are now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
The title was won by Steven McWhirter, the leading drummer of Inveraray and District.
This playlist is in playing order on the day - full summaries can be found by clicking here.
The World Solo Drumming Championships is Saturday 19th October 2019. If you can't make it along, tune in at 3pm for the live stream. LIVE. LOUD. UNMISSABLE!
The live stream of the Adult Final will be shown through the Glasgow Life website page and can be found below:
Band fees and Overseas Association Fees for the 2020 season are now due for payment and payments can be made online.
Reminder for UK Bands: Payment is due by 30th November 2019 (as per Standing Orders and Rules, 3.2). Late Payment will incur a penalty of 20% of the current registration fee (Rule 3.1).
Please note that our website will be completely offline this coming weekend due to a migration to a newer server.
The migration will begin overnight on October the 4th, starting at 21:00 and will run into the following day, October the 5th.
With the many other tasks associated with moving the databases, repointing he DNS, reinstallation of our SSL etc we expect to be back up and running at somepoint on Sunday October 6th.
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause but the timing of the migration is out with our control.
Please note that the branch websites of Dundee, Perth and Angus and Lothian and Borders which exist on the same server and power from the same databases will also be migrated and also be offline during this period.
We recorded the Grade 2 MSR event at the 2019 World Championships on 17th August. These are now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
The title was won by St Thomas Alumni - USA, band number 1 on the playlist.
2019 GRADE 1 WORLD CHAMPIONS INVERARAY AND DISTRICT
18th August 2019
The 2019 championship season climaxed with the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.
2019 saw 195 pipe bands bringing around 8000 pipers and drummers from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Austria, Switzerland, Eire, USA, Belgium, England, Spain, Malaysia, Northern Ireland and Scotland take part. Over 30,000 people attended over two days to watch the championships.
In the premier Grade 1 event, it took Friday and Saturday, two MSR performances, two Medley performances and sixteen adjudicators to crown Inveraray and District from Scotland the 2019 World Champions. Pipe Major Stuart Liddell lifting the trophy for the second time in three years.
2019 GRADE 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE STREAM DETAILS
14th August 2019
The 2019 World Pipe Band Championships Grade 1 event will be held over two days, each day comprising a Medley as well as a March, Strathspey and Reel set.
The 2019 World Champions will play four times in the main arena over two days in front of 16 Adjudicators and we are delighted to announce the live stream details for those who cannot attend in person.
The Friday event will see 30 performances starting at 10:30 and finishing at 16:40 and this coverage will be provided by Inner Ear on behalf of Glasgow Live. The running order for Friday can be found here.
The Saturday event will see another 30 performances starting at 10:45 and finishing at 16:35 then the live stream will continue with the marchpast and privegiving, this coverage will be provided by BBC Scotland. The running order for Saturday can be found here.
The live stream can be viewed from the Worlds Website by clicking here.
Tickets are still available for the event. For more information click here .
We recorded the Grade 1 & 2 (MSR) event at the 2019 North Berwick Highland Games on 10th August. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
We recorded the Grade 1 (Medley) event at the 2019 North Berwick Highland Games on 10th August. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
On behalf of the RSPBA, Dronechorus recorded the Grade 1 Final (Medley) event at the 2019 Scottish Championships event on 27th July 2019. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
We currently have a rule in place (4.68) which is the process for breaking ties in a contest where the final result is decided by the combined performance totals.
1st Preference - Ensemble combined overall totals
2nd Preference - Piping combined overall totals
3rd Preference - Drumming combined overall totals
4th Preference - Ensemble total in MSR contest
5th Preference - Ensemble total in Medley contest
After some work it was discovered that there was a mathematic possibility that even after the 5 preferences have been exhausted there could still be a tie.
After discussions with the Chief Executive and the Chairman, the Music Board have agreed that the best way to deal with this unlikely scenario of a tie after the five preferences, is to apply the above preference criteria again based on the two performances on the Saturday only.
The 2019 championship season reached its penultimate event with the Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Levengrove Park, Dumbarton. 120 pipe bands and 28 drum majors from Eire, Northern Ireland and Scotland competed in very challenging conditions.
We recorded the Grade 2 (MSR) event at the 2019 Scottish Championships event on 27th July. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
We recorded the Grade 3B (Medley) event at the 2019 Scottish Championships event on 27th July. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
CONFIRMATION OF GRADE 1 FORMAT 2019 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
08th July 2019
Now that the entries for the Worlds has closed, we can confirm that there are 15 bands entered for the Grade 1 contest. As a result, the format proposed by the Music Board and supported by the Board of Directors is as follows:
All 15 bands will play own choice MSR and Medley on the Friday.
All 15 bands will play their alternate MSR and Medley on the Saturday.
All 4 performances will count towards the final result.
The adjudicators critique sheets for all 4 performances will be handed out after the prize giving on Saturday.
There will be a pre-draw for playing order for the Friday, and a separate pre-draw for the playing order for Saturday.
On behalf of the RSPBA, Dronechorus recorded the Grade 1 Final (MSR) event at the 2019 European Championships event on 15th June 2019. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
Just a reminder that the entries for the World Championships will close on Wednesday 03rd July 2019.
The draw for the World Championships will then take place within RSPBA HQ at 11.00am on Wednesday 10th July 2019 and be posted online and via our Twitter feed later in the day.
Please remember that during refurbishments we have been in temporary offices since May 2018, all draws as well as all trophy returns will be at the below address:-
The Pentagon Centre
Suite 122
36-38 Washington Street
Glasgow
G3 8AZ
As per rule 4.72 all trophies should be returned one month prior to the contest date to avoid fines.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL VISITS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
29th June 2019
The Association was honoured with the presence at the European Pipe Band Championships of the Honourable Mr William Barr the Attorney General of the United States of America. Mr Barr, who had been on official duties in London, flew north specially for the competition held last Saturday (June 29) in Inverness.
Mr Barr was welcomed by Mr Les Kidger of promoters LCC Live Events, RSPBA Chief Executive Ian Embelton and Chairman John Hughes and introduced to other officials and staff during a busy Saturday at Bught Park. The United States Attorney General is the senior law officer for the US Federal Government.
2019 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS INVERARAY AND DISTRICT
29th June 2019
The 2019 championship season continued with the European Pipe Band Championships at Inverness. This was the first of three years in a new deal with LCC Live Events, who were delighted with their estimated 20,000 visitors who came through the gates.
114 pipe bands and 35 drum majors from Australia, USA, Canada, Switzerland, England, Eire, Northern Ireland and Scotland competed in mixed conditions with a warm morning turning into heavy rain in the afternoon.
2019 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE 4A (MSR) YOUTUBE
29th June 2019
We recorded the Grade 4A (MSR) event at the 2019 European Championships event on 29th June. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
2019 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE 2 (MEDLEY) YOUTUBE
29th June 2019
We recorded the Grade 2 (Medley) event at the 2019 European Championships event on 29th June. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
On behalf of the RSPBA, Dronechorus recorded the Grade 1 Final (Medley) event at the 2019 UK Championships event on 15th June 2019. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
The 2019 championship season continued with the United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships in Lurgan, Northern Ireland.
94 pipe bands and 37 drum majors from Denmark, USA, Canada, Netherlands, Eire, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland competed in cold and very wet conditions for the second championships title of the new season.
REMINDER - SCOTTISH CLOSING DATE AND TROPHY RETURNS
13th May 2019
Just a reminder that the entries for the Scottish Championships will close on Wednesday 12th June 2019.
The draw for the Scottish Championships will then take place within RSPBA HQ at 11.00am on Wednesday 19th June 2019 and be posted online and via our Twitter feed later in the day.
Please remember that during refurbishments we have been in temporary offices since May 2018, all draws as well as all trophy returns will be at the below address:-
The Pentagon Centre
Suite 122
36-38 Washington Street
Glasgow
G3 8AZ
As per rule 4.72 all trophies should be returned one month prior to the contest date to avoid fines.
A reminder to all bands traveling to the United Kingdom Championships at Lurgan on Saturday 15h June 2019 that your bus pass needs to be booked via the forms provided.
Please click here and submit your form as soon as possible.
The 2019 championship season started with the British Pipe Band Championships in Paisley.
118 pipe bands and 30 drum majors from Belgium, Denmark, USA, Eire, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland competed in front of large crowds despite the cold and damp conditions for the first championships title of the new season.
On behalf of the RSPBA Dronechorus recorded the Grade 1 Final (MSR) event at the 2019 British Championships event on 18th May. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
This playlist is in finishing order on the day and some videos are still being uploaded, the playlist will be updated when these are available.
2019 BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE 2 (MEDLEY) YOUTUBE
18th May 2019
We recorded the Grade 2 (Medley) event at the 2019 British Championships event on 18th May. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
2019 BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE JUVENILE (MEDLEY) YOUTUBE
18th May 2019
We recorded the Grade Juvenile (Medley) event at the 2019 British Championships event on 18th May. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
