Mintlaw Pipe Band & Highland Dancing Contest
In 1991, Mr Joe Skinner, the Chairman of the Buchan Pipe Band organisation, suggested the development of a Pipe Band Competition to be held each year in the locality of Peterhead. This forward thinking by Joe Skinner was the impetus in finding a suitable location, the formation of an organising committee, the promotion of the idea to the local council and business as well as engaging the willingness of people to help. The concept was to provide a quality Pipe Band Competition which was run and registered within the rules of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) and an integral part of the competition “circuit” for the Pipe Bands registered with the RSPBA, North of Scotland Branch.
Buchan Pipe Band, Mintlaw 2006
The first “Annual Banff and Buchan Pipe Band Contest” was held at Aden Country Park on the 22nd August 1993 and the Chieftain was Councillor Bill Cruickshank O.B.E. (Convenor of Banff and Buchan District Council), an enthusiastic supporter of the idea of a Competition to sustain and promote the musical heritage of the heartland of the Buchan area. The natural inclusion of a Drum Majors competition was, and is still, well supported each year.
The success of this first competition proved the popularity and interest in such an event held in the area and the organising committee increased their efforts and plans for the next year. With the venue at Aden Country Park adding its own special and unique attractions for all, the Competition increased in numbers of participating Pipe Bands and became “The North of Scotland Champion of Champions” competition in 1994.
Additional information on Aden Park and directions are available on the link below
www.peterhead.org.uk/attractions/aden_park.htm
Aden Country Park Gates
The development of the annual Pipe Band competition continued and a Highland Dancing competition was added in 1996 which has grown each year to attract in excess of 120 Highland Dancers regularly and has always been run under the auspices of the SBOHD requirements. The popularity of this section of the event has led to it starting 2 hours earlier than the Pipe Band Competition, as a separate section within the event, and managed by a well known family of highly respected Highland Dancing Tutors / Instructors.
The Aden Park Pipe Band and Highland Dancing Competition, a popular event in the North East of Scotland attracting 4,000 + spectators and in excess of 15 Pipe Bands each year, has always been promoted by Buchan Pipe Band and is held on the Sunday between the Worlds and Cowal Major Pipe Band Competitions, which is the second last Sunday in August.
In 2005, a chance comment by the RSPBA, North of Scotland Branch Chairman to a previous World Champion Drum Major regarding the possibility of a different type of display by the 2005 class of learner Drum Majors at the Mintlaw competition was accepted. In 2006 the first unique display by the single unit of 14 Drum Majors of the class of 2005 was presented at the competition as an addition to the days’ events.
The original concept of 1991 Competition continues to the present day and any Band registered with the RSPBA is eligible to compete, although the North of Scotland Championship section is only open to those Bands registered with the RSPBA North of Scotland Branch.
Entry forms for the Pipe Band Competition can be downloaded and printed here
Contest Rules and Band Information can be downloaded and printed here
Entry forms for the Drum Majors Competition can be downloaded and printed here
Entry forms for the Highland Dancing Competition can be downloaded and printed here
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