Introduction
In 2010, they had two bands – a grade 3 and a grade 4 band; both went to Scotland to play. Sheila played pipes in the grade 4 band.
We both traveled to Glasgow and made a 10 day vacation of it. We stayed in an apartment near the competition site (Glasgow Green) which was conveniently located near many watering holes….
One day we drove to Glencoe to get away from the metro area and visit the countryside. One day Russ rode bicycle around the Isle of Arran with Dick Venes (remember him?), his brother, and some other friends.
Then, of course, was the competition.
This travel log contains lots of pics from the various days we were in Scotland.
Glencoe
Bicycle trip on Isle of Arran
You didn’t think there wouldn’t be bicycles on this trip, eh!?!
Dick Venes, who I’ve cycled with more than a few times in various parts of the world in the last couple of decades, lives in Manchester, U.K. I contacted him some months before our trip to Scotland and wondered if he could organize a day bike ride for a small group.
And organize he did. He gathered a few others and drove up from Manchester (about a 4 hour drive) and we toured the Isle of Arran on Monday. Dick was gracious enough to bring an extra bike for me so I didn’t have to rent. Since we’re about the same height and build his bike worked wonderfully.
I brought along my pedals, helmet, and other bits of cycling gear so we made a nice day of it on Arran.
Early Monday morning we drove from downtown Scotland to Ardrossan along the coast, boarded a ferry, and sailed to Brodick on Arran. We only brought our bicycles – no sag vehicle. Consequently, we had to bring everything we needed for the day cycling trip. The weather on Arran is, shall we say, variable…
We started on the east coast of Arran, which was rather wet and rainy. Our route took us clockwise so we traveled south along the coast, then around the west side of the island, up over the northern hills, and back to Brodick. All told it was about 60 miles. The western side of the island is rather dry – and windy.
I wasn’t racing in 2010 so I wasn’t in tip-top shape, but I could keep up with the rest of the group pretty easily. I had the camera so I made sure to ride ahead of the group a bit, take some pics and then chase back on after they passed.
It was an excellent ride! We only had one mechanical – a flat tire.
The Worlds I
The World Pipe Band Championships in 2010 were held on Friday and Saturday, August 13 and 14. Both of the Minnesota Police Pipe Band bands (grade 3 and grade 4) played on Friday.
While neither band fared well enough to continue playing in the finals of their grades, the experience was regarded as wonderful, exceptional, out-of-this world, etc…
A few of us also purchased tickets to watch the Grade 1 finals, which is always a great experience.
Here are some pics from the grade 4 MPPB band warming up and playing in competition as well as St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band grade 1 band playing.
The Worlds II