World Pipe Band Competition Photo Essay on Buzzfeed.com

**tulloch** · 20th August 13, 07:14 PM

I was impressed that generally people were more casual than might be suitable for such an event. There was a lot of mugging for the cameras, a lot of bouncing about with precious pipes. There was a lot of drinking and it took a long time to set up the bands for the march in. One of the bands had several people who, when their group got to its final place on the field, ran for the fence and to the porta-potties. Very un-dignified. They should hold off on the drinking until the end.

**Heartbeat2k9** · 20th August 13, 08:45 PM

Having been at a previous Worlds, and having been a participant. The place is packed full of people, kilts ect. Those jumping around with their precious pipes, know what's in their hands, how much they cost them and Just What has been Accomplished as they hear it announced. Sorry, but I think they've the right to jump about as they feel fit to! I know I would!! All the hours/days/time spent and you've hit the Jackpot!

Secondly, as for heading for the port o loos... well, with the amount of people all at Glasgow Green, and when your have a set place to be most of the day. Along with the LONG Lines at all the Port o loo spots, sometime's you can't predict when you finally get a chance to go, or Have to go.
It's not Always because you've been 'drinking' at the Tent. It's just the time you finally have to get to one, without a blinkin line up ;)

So Great to be able to watch them from your own home now, when you're not able to be there in person.

**Blupiper** · 21st August 13, 07:45 AM

Having been to Glasgow Green at the Worlds, I'll second Heartbeat2k9. There are ten thousand people there and maybe a dozen porta-potties. Just kidding, although the lines can and do get long. I like the whooping that goes on when a band gets the championship. It shows how much the achievement is valued and what they have spent and sacrificed to get it. Going to the Worlds is a great opportunity to get up to see all the great bands and players in piping. Now that the Worlds are streamed online your feet don't get wet, either. Getting up at 4 AM (west coast USA) is a small price to pay.

JMB

**OC Richard** · 24th August 13, 08:28 PM

Nice photos, silly captions.

Since many pipers (such as myself) won't drink alcohol before competition, the most has to be made of the sometimes narrow window of opportunity between the moment your band marches out of the circle and the time you have to form up for the March Past. I want to be clear-headed for competition, for the March Past not so much.

What struck us at the March Past was the fact that local bands would abruptly leave formation and head for their coaches the moment the results in their categories were announced. By the time the final results were announced half the bands were gone! Here in the USA bands would forfeit their travel/participation money for doing so, and out of long habit we stayed put till the end.

About the word "majorette" who can say, but in (men's) English football, new players are often called "debutantes" and promising young stars are often called "starlets" (both words ordinarily confined to females). Just two of the many things English football presenters say that sound odd to the American ear. (These players would be called "rookies" and "rookie sensations" respectively.)