Urgent shoe question

[glenlivet]

Kilt. Hose. Shoes. Sporran. One more thing. Don't forget the sun screen.

Oh, spot on, thanks! I won't be wearing a glengarry, and I have my grampa's bald spot and high forehead!

[Jack Daw]

Answer to Qs:

1) No, you'll just look like a drummer.
2) Any shoe'll do.

A piper,

[Dall_Piobaire]

You should be able to get a day sporran pretty easily and quickly down there! Heck you'll need it anyway. I am with the others on the brogues, comfort is key, especially since you'll be on your feet all day! Heck, you good even get a pair from good will, take the tongue out, and put laces on em, thar you be, not quite the same but close!

[EagleJCS]

As a pipe & drum competition organizer, I can tell you you don't HAVE to wear 'Highland attire' to be a steward. Most folks I work with come comfortable (regular "street clothes"). If you're not accustomed to wearing a kilt & accessories, it may be a bit uncomfortable for a while.

That said, the advice you've gotten here is spot on. Kilt, sporran, hose, comfortable nice-looking shoes (I've seen a wide variety on THAT front), nice shirt. Tie optional. Jacket optional - depending on the weather. If you don't have a kilt jacket (an Argyle, black or tweed), you may want a short-waisted jacket (like a windbreaker, or a denim jacket). Depending on how chilly it is, a sweater or sweatshirt might be advisable. You don't have to wear the 'traditional' headgear (Glengarry or Balmoral) - wear a hat that makes sense for you and the conditions you'll find yourself in.

Most importantly - HAVE FUN! If you can, listen to the competitors, especially the higher grades. You could learn a lot.


For those unfamiliar with piping/drumming contests, for the solo contests - usually in the morning - the steward will be stationed at one judge's table and will be the point of contact for competitors during the competition - is this the 6/8 march station, am I up next, when am I up, could that change, where can I tune up, etc. This keeps the judge from being interrupted by these things when they're trying to listen to the person playing for them. Stewards don't shepherd individual competitors around the the stations - that's their own responsibility - and shouldn't go hunting for the competitors. In other words, the steward should not leave their own station, should stand a few feet apart from the judge, and should try to make it obvious they're the steward. The steward also should not allow anyone to interrupt the contest (photographers, people casually strolling through, other competitors, etc.). Bleeve it 'er not, I've seen it happen!

For the band contests - usually in the afternoon - there will be one band steward who is responsible for making sure the bands know when they're up next. (It's the band's responsibility to show up on time.) The band steward is also in charge of the competition circle - making sure the general public respects the cordoned-off area - no photographers, autograph hounds, etc. wandering through - and generally behaves themselves (no yelling during the contest, etc.). The ensemble judge is in charge of allowing the bands to enter the circle when the other judges are ready.

If you want to know more about it, PM me.