Kirsty Macnicol
The Southland Times
August 19, 1998

EDINBURGH _ The City of Invercargill Caledonian Pipe Band is pleased with its performance at the pipe band world championships in Scotland at the weekend, despite not gaining a place.
Pipe major David Pickett said he was thrilled with the way the band played.
"The performance was easily as good as we played to win the New Zealand championships in March," Mr Pickett said.
"I couldn't have asked for any more.
"To achieve that standard was a feat in itself when you consider the new environment we faced, the fact we were unknowns and that all the guys are really tired from the work that has gone into the tattoo in the past two weeks."
The band is a guest artist at the prestigious Edinburgh Military
Tattoo, which opened on August 7.Despite not being placed, the band did have a certain sense of victory as the Southern Hemisphere dominated the placings.
Grade one was won by Australia's Victoria Police Pipe Band and grade two by the Western Australia Police Pipe Band.
The New Zealand Police Pipe Band, of which former Tuatapere man Glenn Harris is a member, finished in the top 12 overall.
A highlight for the Invercargill band was the arrival of its supporter's
tour from Southland on Saturday.
Kitted out with rosettes and Southland and New Zealand flags, their visual and vocal support was inspiring, Mr Pickett said.
The tour party attended the world championships and tattoo on Saturday, giving the combined Invercargill and Dunedin display a standing ovation.
On Sunday night, the band met the Southlanders for dinner at their hotel.
Mr Pickett said supporters at home had also made the band feel proud of their efforts.
Every day, at least 10 faxes had arrived at the band's base at the Redford Army Barracks.
The band's workload continues this week, with the BBC due to begin filming the tattoo performances last night. The CD recording of the show went on sale on Monday.