Up, dressed in uniform, breakfast and off on an hour and a half journey south, east to the Scottish seaside town of North Berwick. There were approximately 35 bands competing across 9 grades. It was a truly international affair with bands from Malaysia, Israel, Australia, US and NZ competing.
The day produced the typical Scottish weather of four seasons in one day. We were lucky enough to compete in dry conditions with rain coming in just as we concluded our event. It was a surreal feeling playing in Scotland. The way things are run is not that much different, just a lot more bands in the competition than we have in New Zealand.
We competed in the top Juvenile Grade and played well. We placed second overall behind George Watson College from Scotland and first in the drumming!.
We appreciate the support that our touring parents give us from the side lines and the many messages received from well-wishers back in New Zealand.
One of the highlights for many of us was to see some of the top Grade 1 Scottish bands compete. Inverary and Districts lead by Stuart Liddell. Pipe Band Director of our NZ Youth Band, Alasdair MacKenzie also plays in this band, travelling from NZ for a number of weeks every year to prepare. Stuart Liddell is a piping God in Scotland. Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate who won the UK championships this year took out Grade 1. Our Head Drumming Tutor, Scott Birrell used to play for Boghall. We got to support our kiwi Grade 1 Bands, Canterbury Caledonian and Manawatu Scottish. Canterbury Cale came in 5th in MSR which was a great result.