Surely the least likely bass drum to get nicked?
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Boghall let the drums hit the deck but it won't be long now until they are on for their Medley.
I have got over an hour and a half of video from the tuning park, so that will start to hit my YouTube Channel mid week.
From what I have heard SFU would still be my favourites but I didn't get close to either FM or SLOT, so I could be completely wrong.
I was so close to SFU I could have played with them. If I had the talent....
The final band has played, Jim Kilpatrick has performed his traditional salute at the Pearl Tent (a change in allegiance over the year) and the crowd is milling about awaiting the results.
I now have so much video that the camera is full!
The 78th Fraser Highlands qualified and I was glad to see it.
Over the past few years it had been sad to see them slip down the ladder and not to even qualify last year. They still sound a bit "thin" compared to today's top outfit but I'm glad they are back in the Final at least.
One can but imagine that the RSPBA thinks that eBay either has no lawyers, or that they don't like pipebands and therefore don't come to contests....
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The bands are forming up for the Results. Clever spectators commandeer the abandoned grandstands from earlier grades awaiting the formal proceedings and the all important results.
In truth, this is the rubbish bit. No matter how enthusiastic Mervyn Herron tries to sound, it's basically a lot of bands moseying in to the accompaniment of 6/8s.
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You'll forgive me for skipping the Drum Majors, save to say that Northern Ireland was again fairly dominant. One has to wonder if the rest of the world is really trying....
Adult Drum Major bucked the trend and went to the SFU Drum Major (J Paquio). Was that an omen? I'm typing this as we go, so who knows? Paula Braiden came a creditable second, keeping the Ulster end up. And now, as they say, the Bands... Novice Juvenile Drums - George WatsonOverall - Oban High School Grade 4B Drums - Upper Crossgare
Overall - Upper Crossgare Grade 4A Drums - Gransha
Overall - Gransha Juvenile Drums - Boghall & Bathgate
Overall - Dollar Academy Grade 3B Drums - Badenoch and Strathspey
Overall - Geoghegan Memorial Grade 3A Drums - St Finbarr's
Overall - St Finbarr's Grade 2 Drums - Bagad Brieg
Overall - Ravara Grade 1 Drums - SLOT
Overall - (in order)
SLOT
FMMPB
Boghall & Bathgate*
SFU*
Shotts
Scottish Power
Piping
MSR - SLOT
Medley - SLOT
[* - Edit - This was the order called on the day and thus is the order I'm leaving in this post, as a document of record. In fact, the results were later amended to have SFU in third, ahead of Boghall on Ensemble preference. The link to the offical RSPBA results page is here.]
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Speaking to a colossal crowd, the Chieftain has just told us precisely how colossal that crowd is. Apparently we number over 53000! That's a lot of haggis. Never mind neeps and tatties.
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Due to variable cell reception, the posts are slowing down. As am I.
You can see from the photos that there is now a gourmet eating spot in the Food from Argyll tent.
Haggis, neeps and tatties is my predictable (and delicious) fare but you can also have a roast Aberdeen Angus dinner or a venison burger. Brilliant!
I wholeheartedly commend the haggis. As I strolled the Green a number of passersby remarked on the bowl of goodness and sallied off towards the tent.
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If SFU can play in the arena like they are playing outside the rest of them may go home. Powerful stuff. I got up close and will post video throughout next week if the excitement doesn't kill me.
I love this stuff!!!