Well away! or Blooterville! – our picks for great intros and patchy mistakes from 2018

Well Away! – The Johnstone Pipe Band got well away in the Grade 1 Final at The World’s, a great finish to the season for them and a mark of how far they have come in a short while. Johnstone have been developing their junior bands for a few years, and are currently sitting on a large, active teaching organization that is showing succeed and growth across the range.

Johnstone hits 75 with concert, chanters, teaching

Well away! – Similarly, City of Dunedin over the last eight years showed that slow and steady planning, education and development eventually pay off. In this age of must-have-it-all-right-now, the top band in the extensive organization won Grade 2 at the World’s and then a promotion to Grade 1. And instead of immediately expecting domination at the World’s, they’re focusing on continuing to build in 2019, bypassing Glasgow Green. And all of this in a small town in the American Deep South. Talk about whistlin’ Dixie . . .

Is Dunedin, Florida, the world’s most successful piping and drumming community?

City of Dunedin promoted to Grade 1

Well away! – Well, change must happen, and it’s always a tough one when long-serving members hang up the skates. Field Marshal Montgomery’s Pipe-Sergeant Alastair Dunn had a great 21 years in the band, playing a key role in running Glasgow rehearsals and acquiring sponsorship. Also stepping back this year was Shotts P-M Ryan Canning, after a tumultuous few years as pipe-major, including winning the World Pipe Band Championship very early in his tenure as pipe major. In some antiquated circles, these departures might seem negative, but life at the top is busy and demanding, and both these players have contributed a lot. Hopefully there will be more great introductions for them in the future.

Canning steps down as Shotts P-M 

Wilson new FMM pipe-sergeant as Dunn departs after 21 years