Better Performance at Bathgate for Tweedvale Pipe Band!

The last Saturday of May saw Tweedvale Pipe Band travel the short distance to West Lothian to take part in the pipe band contests at the West Lothian Highland Games, which were held in Meadow Park Bathgate. Tweedvale Pipe Band  was drawn to play first in the Grade 4 March event out of three entered bands, their only event of the day. As it turned out only two bands played on the day, one having withdrawn. Playing in decent though changeable weather, the Band put in a creditable performance of their MSR set though probably not quite as good as the performance the previous week at the British Championships. The only other band to play on the day was Camelon & District who, when the results were announced, were placed first with Tweedvale second. The Tweedvale drum corps were placed first by the drumming judge. Two RSPBA Lothian & Borders Branch Shields were awarded to the band for these achievements.

Speaking about the outcome of the Bathgate contest, Tweedvale Pipe Major Bruce Gillie said “Whilst I’m reasonable happy with the performance at today’s contest, I think the band could do better yet. The month of May has been a roller-coaster ride in terms of performance, from the depths of Dunbar to the relative stability of Bathgate. Hopefully the months of street parades to come will improve the band sound in preparation for the next period of competition which doesn’t start till the end of July. I’d like to thank Innerleithen Union Club for their £100 donation to coach costs and BARC Coach Hire for the supply of the coach.”

Tweedvale’s contest season will resume in late July when they band intend to participate in the Scottish Pipe Band Championships. In the intervening time the band will, as Innerleithen Pipe Band, be taking part in local festivals including the Peebles Beltane, the Walkerburn Summer festival and the St Ronan’s Border Games Week, as well as undertaking further fundraising events including its annual coffee morning which is being held this coming Saturday 03 June. The Band will also participate in the inaugural Innerleithen MusicFest on the same day.

Details of the Day

Contest venue – Meadow Park Bathgate.

Tunes played:
Grade 4A MSR – P/M Donald McLean’s Farewell to Oban, Men of Argyll, Molly Connell, The Keel Row, Lexy McAskill and Captain Lachlan McPhail of Tiree.

Number of Pipers – 8.

Number of Side Drummers – 5 in Grade 4A MSR.

Number of Bass Drummers – 1.

Number of Tenor Drummers – 3.

The full results of the Bathgate Pipe Band Contest Grade 4A MSR contest can be found here.