Ohio Scottish Games.

[creagdhubh]

Distance isn't really the issue. At most highland games of any size there is quite a bit of distance between the seating and the bands. The problem is that there is a stage just across the track from the grandstands (see the blue steel girders just behind the bands) and playing in the infield would mean that this stage would be between the bands and the audience. This is a very odd place to play and the bands march in very oddly. At most places the bands march in formation with pipes in front, then bass drums, then tenor drums and snares bringing up the rear. They usually march across a field toward the grandstand, sometimes counter-marching before settling in and almost always counter-marching off the field. Here the bands have to march down the track so they put half the pipers at the front of the procession, then the drummers lined up so the bass drums are all down one side (and across the front when they stop in front of the stands), then the other half of the pipers in the rear. March in one way, out the other.

Very unusual indeed, Kenneth.