I’ll be staying in Stirling this coming August in preaparation for the World Pipe Band Championships. Is anybody aware of any flute action?
Cheers,
Aaron
I don’t know about Stirling… but there are sessions in Falkirk, Dundee and Dunkeld & Birnam (where I stay), as well as quite a few in Edinburgh.
In the summer in Dunkeld, there’s often a session at the Taybank on a Wednesday or Thursday, plus lots of spontaneous music over the weekend. In Birnam (just over the bridge from Dunkeld), there’s a great Monday trad session, a teaching night every other Tuesday, Jazz on the other Tuesdays, as well - last year there was a summer Sunday afternoon session as well.
Hope that helps,
When I hang out in pubs in Scotland (usually with footballers), I never hear trad Irish music, all though it’s all mixed up. When you say ‘tred music’ , do you mean Scottish or Irish stuff?
Nelson
Hey, this is Scotland so it tends to be a mix of Scottish and Irish, with some Cape Breton and the odd Macedonian tune thrown in. Partly it depends on who’s playing - when a piper’s playing with us, it’s likely to be more Scottish… and there are so many great pipe tunes!
Well, I play the GHP but they are too loud for a pub. I have never played the lowland pipes. Some summers I go to Inverclide at the Olypemic Center to football coaches school. If you catch in the newspaper anything going on down there, let me know.
The Ben nevis in glasgow on a wednesday or sunday. Thats a good mix of irish and scottish etc etc
Dan
Dan, I know where Inveraray is but where is Inverurie?
Cheers,
Aaron
Who do you play with, Aaron?
(WHOM, yeah, I know. I’m a rebel.)
Stuart
Sorry Aaron, I ment Invercylde. South of Glasgow on the Firth of Fife. An estate given to Scotland by a retired ship magnet for training of sports nationally.
Nelson
In the North East of Scotland, 16 miles North-West of Aberdeen. Self titled the ‘Heart of the Garioch’!!! 
Living in Glasgow at the moment at uni though.
Dan
Ah, so there must be a River or Loch Urie?
Stuart, I’ll be travelling with Robert Malcolm Memorial, Grade 2 (one of the SFU feeder bands). I just started with the band this fall. It’s a top-notch band and a great challenge.
Cheers,
Aaron
Cool!
I went to the World’s in 1990. What a trip. I actually hung out around the MSR circle; you can hear some gooooood playing there. And some crappy playing, truth be told, but good playing too.
Stuart
Hi Aaron,
the river Urie flows into the river Don, and Inverurie lies on the north bank of the Don,
the rivers meet at the southeast corner of the town. See Map.
BTW Port Elphinstone was at the head of a canal built from Aberdeen to Inverurie. See Guide.
Maybe more than you ever wanted to know about this small town. 
Hi, Aaron,
I don’t know of any traditional flute players in or near Stirling, although I believe there are a few local sessions going on, which would probably feature a mix of both Scottish and Irish music.
There are several good players in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, both of which are accessable by train if you don’t have transport. You’d almost certainly find some flute players in “Sharkey’s” bar in Glasgow on a Monday night. The local Comhaltas branch have a session there after their classes.
Gordon Turnbull, who has “The Flow” flute website has been hosting a session in “Sandy Bells” in Edinburgh on Monday nights, at least he was a year ago, but recent fatherhood may temporarily have put a stop to that. There are musicians booked to host sessions in Bell’s just about every night.
There are also a few flute players here in Aberdeen. Let me know if you ever venture this far north with a few tunes in mind.
Good luck to your band in the “Worlds”.
[ Hi, Daniel ! ]
Hey, Hans, it aint as small as Findhorn!! 
Dan
You’re right Dan, Findhorn is definitely a small village, quite pretty too.
I would not cope with a town here I think 
~Hans
Thanks for all of the input, ladies and gents. So far I only know I’ll be in Stirling the week prior to the Worlds. My plans for afterwards haven’t been set. I’ll be in Glasgow for arrival, departure and of course, Glasgow Green on the big day.
I would like to see more of the country. So far I’ve seen Skye, Oban, Inverness, Pitlochry, Edinburgh and the Stirling area as well as Glasgow. I have a hunch I’ll be spending more time in Argyllshire.
Cheers,
Aaron
Aaron,
I’m sure you’ll be able to find some session action when you’re here. Edinburgh is probably your best bet (our Thursday session died a long, lingering death a few months ago but I’m sure I’ll have picked up a new one by next August!). You will be able to experience the joy of Japanese tourists running in the pub door, taking your photo while you’re playing, and running out again without even listening to what you’re playing!! Ahhh, Edinburgh at Festival time!
So, RMM - nice gig. As an ex-piper myself, I’ve listened to them lots of times at the Worlds, and they are mighty impressive. But with all that piping practice, when are you going to find time for your flute? 
Cheers
Graham
Indeed. Especially considering I’m playing in solo competitions too. With 4 new piobaireachd, 2 new MSRs and Jig/Hornpipes each on top of a new medley, 2 band MSRs, and a slough of concert material… my flute time is greatly diminished. If I can get in 10 minutes a day I’m doing pretty good.
Cheers,
Aaron