Aiblins

The Results

Grade Novice Juvenile
Kintyre Schools
Drums Kintyre Schools

Grade 4B
Closkelt
Drums Bo'ness

Grade 4A
Scottish Borders
Drums Scottish Borders

Grade Juvenile
George Watson's College
Drums George Watson's College

Grade 3B
New York Metro
Drums New York Metro

Grade 3A
Oban
Drums PSNI

Grade 2
Seven Towers
Drums Denny & Dunipace

Grade 1
FMMPB
SFU
Scottish Power
Inveraray & District
SLOT
Boghall & Bathgate

MSR FMMPB
Medley FMMPB

Drums
Overall Shotts
MSR Boghall & Bathgate
Medley FMMPB

The Finale

The playing is over, let the interminable nonsense of the Finale begin.

Having had a couple of wee vertigo wobbles, I have retreated to the safety of an abandoned stand and am waiting while over 200 bands dander slowly into the ring to the dulcet gulders of Mervyn Herron. There has got to be a better way of doing this.

Predictions?

Well, as usual I spent my time in the tuning park and can't account for the effect the ring may have had, nor can I comment on the actual performances in there. Furthermore, I didn't see SLOT at all, although one of their players told me their MSR had gone very well.

So, taking into account all those riders, I liked FMMPB, Inveraray, and SFU. Most of the others were competent but uninspiring. I know that sounds harsh when talking about such great players, but you know what I mean.

The overseas bands should be bringing up the rear - and some way back, to be honest. My nagging doubts about the judging remain - it sometimes looks like a few get into the Final simply by virtue of having travelled so far. It will be easier to confirm or refute that notion once I get a chance to watch the Internet feed from the BBC at home.

Anyway, not long to go now - stay tuned for the results.