our annual trip to scotland
The Sons of Scotland has been going to Scotland every year since 2003, and they enjoy a different program every year. The main focus is the World Pipe Band Championships held in Glasgow Green, but they are certainly open to adding many different performances and cities into their itinerary.
They look for new and interesting partners to work with, and have enjoyed performances with many groups including The Royal Blind Charity, Blesma, Caledonian Brewery, Hibernian FC, Marie Curie, and many more, and they have performed in many cities during their visits including London, Belfast, Culloden, Inverness, Loch Ness, Perth, Crieff, Dublin, Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh. They have also enjoyed performing on 4 occasions at Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
If you wish to travel with the band, please message Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion at sospb@sospb.com for details. Attendance is based on availability and more, and the trips fill up quickly, so don't delay if you are interested in going along with the band. The trip's costs are kept down with the group that normally goes, and there is always something for our guests to help with in terms of supporting the band and dancers. Every year is unique and very memorable. And everyone should see Scotland - it's just magnificent!
They look for new and interesting partners to work with, and have enjoyed performances with many groups including The Royal Blind Charity, Blesma, Caledonian Brewery, Hibernian FC, Marie Curie, and many more, and they have performed in many cities during their visits including London, Belfast, Culloden, Inverness, Loch Ness, Perth, Crieff, Dublin, Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh. They have also enjoyed performing on 4 occasions at Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
If you wish to travel with the band, please message Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion at sospb@sospb.com for details. Attendance is based on availability and more, and the trips fill up quickly, so don't delay if you are interested in going along with the band. The trip's costs are kept down with the group that normally goes, and there is always something for our guests to help with in terms of supporting the band and dancers. Every year is unique and very memorable. And everyone should see Scotland - it's just magnificent!
scotland trip 2021
The band will stay in Edinburgh at Napier University, and do concerts in that city, in Glasgow and in the town of Stirling.
We will compete at the World Pipe Band Championships, play in the pre-Worlds Parade through Glasgow and enjoy the civic reception afterwards at Glasgow City Hall, we will enjoy the hospitality of the Eagle Pipers Society at the Scots Guards Club in Edinburgh, travel to Glasgow to go to Drumming for Drinks, and much more!
Practices will be held at Boroughmuir High School next to our accommodations.
Our day in Stirling will include shows at the Battle of Bannockburn, Stirling Castle, and Wallace Monument and we are honored to be joined by the Schiehallion Dancers from Hamilton, Ontario under the expert direction of Sandra Bald Jones.
We are welcoming in 2021 dancers from the Katharine Robinson School of Dance and the Terri Kember School and the Champagne School of Dance depending on dates and shows.
Dates of the World Pipe Band Championship weekend is August 13/14, 2021
helpful information and more
Edinburgh flats - napier university at 6 bainfield drive
Here are some helpful hints and information to make our upcoming trip to Scotland its best.
Before you go...Make sure you have your passport. Good idea to make a photocopy of it and leave it at home in case you lose it. Leave it in your room in your flat, and only bring it out to visit venues requiring id. Don’t carry any liquids in your carry on bags. Don’t travel with your knives or pointy objects in piper’s maintenance kits. Pack your earplugs for the plane, and something to read. Bring a sweater on board in your pipe case – helps you snuggle up and sleep. Some flights do not provide meals, so make sure to plan to purchase something to eat/drink at the airport.
Take out trip or health insurance before you go if you wish. Leave Beth's number with your friends back home and let them know that if they call to leave a message, they should leave their name too. To ring her from Canada, come back here for Beth's #
Put Beth’s UK number on your luggage tags in case they misplace anything and can then get in touch. Label everything with your name on it.
Pack your music. Pad, chanter and sticks are all required for practices in the flats.
What to pack... Scotland gets rain. Pack a raincoat, an umbrella, and a good shopping bag. Comfy shoes are a must - you'll do lots of walking. Your wardrobe may have hangers, or may not, depending on the previous tenant. Pipe band folk - roll up your kilt to save the pleats from getting wonky, and lay out your jacket/vest carefully in your suitcase. They are hard to iron! You can bring up to 50 pounds in the first bag before getting charged extra, so weigh your bag before you go. 2nd bag is yours to pay for, so if you plan on doing a lot of shopping when there, partner up with other folk to combine items for that bag - saves you some money. Just be aware of what's in the luggage.
The uniform items: Bring your glengarry (make sure your badge is sewn on), 2 long sleeved and 2 short sleeved white shirts, your necktie, jacket, vest and kilt, sporran, belt, 2 pair of black band hose, flashes, skean dhu, shoes and your Inverness cape.
In your Flat: You will have a room with ironing board/iron, mop, broom. There are laundry facilities in each building, and there is a weekly cleaning person that comes in. They change sheets weekly, and you are provided with linens and towels in each room. Kitchens have flatwear, plates and cups – kettle, fridge and stove – some have microwaves, but not all. Some have toasters, but not many.
There is a hot water meter in the kitchen. Last one to bed should turn it on so you have hot water in the morning. Don't forget an alarm clock as well.
Great idea copied from the MacCulloch School – your flatleader should post paper on the front door of the flat along with a pen. When folk go out, they can leave a note so others know where they’ve gone to. Makes all the difference in a day’s enjoyment! All flatleaders need to get Beth their flat number, and who’s staying in each room in case of damage, or things left in rooms.
Flats at Napier University all have 8 rooms and are all ensuite. Linens and towels are provided.Right across the street is a mall with places to accommodate groups for meals. Visit them at www.fountainpark.co.uk
All flats have free WIFI now and it is a good idea to copy down your passwords for email accounts so you can access them there. Electrical current in Scotland is 220, not 110 like in Canada, and their plug ends are a different shape. Most electronic items like phone/camera/laptop chargers can accept 220, but the plug won’t fit in the receptacle in Scotland, for this you will need a simple adapter that does not step down the power. Check your device to see what range it accepts, it is usually noted right on it. Other devices, small appliances like hair dryers, will need an adapter that also steps down the power to 110, or else they will melt. When you arrive at your room, inspect the flat for any previous damage, or stains to the carpet etc, document them if you have a camera and report them to your flat master, this way the band will not be held responsible for damage incurred by the previous guests. This has been an issue in the past.
Shopping: There is great shopping in Scotland. There are a lot of charity shops nearby, and a Sainsburys downstairs to pick up a few things. Tesco and LIDL are great for food as well and there are some close. If you wish to pick up any small appliances, visit the Argos shop on the North Bridge. Visit www.argos.co.uk for information.We also think Primark is a great place to shop on Princes Street for lots of things including towels, souvenirs, and many other items.
A great event to take in is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Tickets and information is available through this link: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/
Purchase your tickets before heading over to make sure it's not sold out the night you want to go. Link is here for purchases: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets
You can also look at this page for good information on packages: https://www.theatrebreaks.com/edinburgh/shows-edinburgh/royal-edinburgh-military-tattoo-breaks
Purchase your tickets before heading over to make sure it's not sold out the night you want to go. Link is here for purchases: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets
You can also look at this page for good information on packages: https://www.theatrebreaks.com/edinburgh/shows-edinburgh/royal-edinburgh-military-tattoo-breaks
Travel from Edinburgh
If you're keen to explore the UK or Europe, visit www.edreams.com for information on well priced airfare from Edinburgh. Our location at the University flats is close to the airport shuttle spot downtown.
Megabus provides excellent and very affordable coach travel too; visit www.megabus.co.uk to have a look at prices starting from 1 pound!
Some great day trip sites to research: www.rabbies.com www.timberbush-tours.co.uk www.highlandexplorertours.com www.getyourguide.com www.city-discovery.com
Megabus provides excellent and very affordable coach travel too; visit www.megabus.co.uk to have a look at prices starting from 1 pound!
Some great day trip sites to research: www.rabbies.com www.timberbush-tours.co.uk www.highlandexplorertours.com www.getyourguide.com www.city-discovery.com
Details
It is a good idea to exchange your money here at home. You can access your account at bank machines in the UK. It is a good idea too to alert our credit card company if you're travelling over there so they're aware there might be different spending patterns and not put a lock on the card.
Take out travel and health insurance - you never want to get sick far away from home but if you do, you want to have coverage.
Pack your full uniform - including 2 long sleeve and 2 white sleeve shirts. Do not forget your inverness cape. Everyone must have and bring one - if you need to borrow one, ask a friend. Pack all your white hose and laundry soap.
You shall have your own room key and front door key to the flat. There are laundry facilities on the premises. Make sure you pack a good umbrella, a raincoat, and good walking shoes.
Take out travel and health insurance - you never want to get sick far away from home but if you do, you want to have coverage.
Pack your full uniform - including 2 long sleeve and 2 white sleeve shirts. Do not forget your inverness cape. Everyone must have and bring one - if you need to borrow one, ask a friend. Pack all your white hose and laundry soap.
You shall have your own room key and front door key to the flat. There are laundry facilities on the premises. Make sure you pack a good umbrella, a raincoat, and good walking shoes.
