Interview:
Pipe Major Alistair Mclaughlan
What is your outlook on 2009 Season?
My outlook for the season ahead is to try and maintain a good standard of playing that the band has worked on during the winter, with the possibility of some silverware.
How good do you think grade 3A is?
I think the standard could be a lot better in Scotland but like other musical instruments the dedication to practice and become better is very hard to get across when teaching, you only get out of pipe music what you are prepared to put into it. We have some excellent young prospects in our pipe section and I would hope to bring them to a much higher level this season, therefore making the grade stronger.
What is you background:
I started playing pipes at the age of nine, my first band was Carluke Caledonia which was in grade 3 at the time under the leadership of Robert Strathearn. I spent 5 years at the band helping them get to grade 2, in which we finshed runner up in 1986 my best memory of that season was coming second at the World Pipe Band Championships at Strathclyde Park.
I then had a brief spell at Whitehill Pipe Band moving from them in 1989 to Babcock & Renfrew later to become Black Bottle Pipe band. Under the Leadership of Don Bradford I became a much stronger player with my best memory beating FM the currently world champions in there own back garden at the County Down Championships in Banbridge The first and only Scottish band to win the trophy. We also in 1991 with nine players come third at cowal Games.
Before Joining Scottish Power in the summer of 1998 I had a few years working and playing under the leadership of Stevie Young at Polkemmet. I would have to say as pipe bands go my 3 years with Scottish Power were very mind-blowing to say the least when you are playing next to players such as Gordon Walker on one side and Alistair Gilles on the other, I become some much more a better player but in 2002 the pull to play with Shotts was to much for me not to turn down. In my six years with Shotts I managed two World titles, Two British titles, two Cowal titles and one Scottish Title and also played at many concerts all over the world including
Who are the top bands in grade one for this season?
My focus this year will only be on my own grade and hope that we can be one of the top bands in our grade. But if you have to push me on it I think it will be the same top four.
Do you believe in a big pipe Section?
Not really I think if you have eight good players and a half decent sound you can match any one on any given day, we have eighteen players but that would not stop me going on with only eight, but it would be nice to play all eighteen but the way pipes respond in different weather conditions, that probably wont happen.
Is it important to get a good start?
Yes!! it is very important to get off to a good start and hopefully we can build on the start and when the Worlds come round we will be up to our very best as there will be more competition from the overseas bands who come over every year playing well and ready for any challenge so it is important we are also ready.