Fee

There is no entry fee on the day, however as the event is organised by a charity, we welcome donations.

Dress code

Members of bands should wear whatever outfit their school stipulates for the Championships. Please note: players who have metal pieces on the underside of their shoes (sole and heel) must use ‘jaffa tape’ to cover the metalwork. Jaffa tape will be available from Reception.

Arrival and departure

Each band should register their attendance on arrival at reception.

In addition, each band should signal its departure to reception on leaving the Championships.

Stewarding

Each school will be allocated a steward on arrival, who will identify themselves with each band’s pipe major/instructor/adult supervisor at reception.

The steward will –

  • accompany the band to their allocated classroom and at the same time explaining fire drills and any other important domestic matters.
  • show band members, or a band representative, the facilities which will be available during the day.
  • ensure that all band members complete their relevant band sheets which will indicate names, school, age, gender and whether piper or drummer.
  • explain the programme for the day, playing time/s and location of the competition halls.
  • be on hand to accompany the band(s) to its competition hall in good time for each performance.
  • supervise final departure at the end of the day.

Changing

There will be no separate changing facilities for girls and boys. Each school will be allocated its own classroom for the day in which they are to administer themselves in entirety.

Classrooms

Sadly, in previous years, there have been incidents of purposeful damage and graffiti by visiting pupils.  This jeopardises The Championships, and does not reflect the ethos of the event.

From 2018 each participating band making use of a classroom must nominate a responsible adult who will ensure that there is a supervising adult (parent or teacher) present in the classroom at all times.

Before vacation of the classroom, the responsible adult must inform Reception and wait for a member of the organising committee to come to the classroom, inspect it, and authorise the band to depart.

Classrooms should be kept neat and tidy at all times without disturbing school furniture or equipment.

No smoking, soft drinks, food or alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the classrooms.

Use of aerosols ie. spray deodorants is strictly prohibited in classrooms, and are only permitted in the bathroom if necessary.

Stewards will provide rubbish bags in order to assist bands to clear their classrooms prior to departure.

Please note that the visiting band/ school will be held liable for the cost of any damage to the classrooms or any other area of the school for the duration of the competition.

Bands and quartets entering and leaving the hall

The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships is an indoor competition. Bands/Quartets are not obliged to march in or out of the competing halls, but they should enter and leave the competing hall in an organised manner. First impressions are always important in any competition.

Prize giving

Recognising that some schools will have a long return journey, and therefore may be unable to attend prize-giving at the end of the championships, such schools are asked to:

  • Nominate a representative to collect any prize that it may have been awarded;
  • Leave a forwarding school contact name and address with their steward.

Publication of results

Winners are announced on the day and posted on the website.

Catering

Breakfasts, lunches and snacks will be available from the school cafeteria.  No alcohol is allowed in the school.

The menu is available to view here: SSPBC Menu 10th March 2024

There will be gluten free and vegan options available.

Lost property

During the Championships you should hand lost property into, and reclaim from Reception. After the Championships please contact the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust at info@sspdt.org.uk

Health & safety

The Health and Safety plan for 2024 is available here: SSPBC Safety Management Plan

Publicity

Members of the press and TV will be present throughout the Championships. If any competing player does not wish to have his or her image published in the national or local press or TV, they should indicate this in advance by completing, signing and returning this form.

Take a look at our videos (view all)