Before you leave home

Before you leave home make sure you have all the parts of your highland gear. This could include some or all of the following: Glen (hat), shirt, vest, jacket, tie, kilt, sporran, hose, flashes, and shoes.

Check that you have your entire instrument. Even if you are playing the bagpipes you should bring your practice chanter. Make sure you have reeds, blow pipe, chanter, bag covers. Drummers should make sure you have your sticks and pad as well as your drum and drum harness. Pipers, it is a good idea to blow up your pipes and make sure they are working properly before you arrive at the competition.

Arriving at the Competition

On the day of the competition, you must present yourself to the registration desk and obtain your competitor number.  Registration generally opens approximately one hour in advance of the first competition time. Generally near or at the registration desk you will also find the OOP posted and the schedule posted.

There will be a number of platforms set up on the day of the competition.  Each platform has a steward and adjudicator (judge) assigned to it.  Each class will be assigned to one of the platforms.  This information is found on the schedule of events.  It is your responsibility to advise the stewards for each platform that you are present and ready to play. You should present yourself to each steward. The steward will mark off that you are present and may give you an approximate time to check back.

You should be back at the platform at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of your event. Check in with the steward again and they will advise you if the class is on time. Stay in the general area of the platform. DO NOT TUNE UP OR PLAY CLOSE TO THE PLATFORM.

The steward will manage the competitors and advise you when you are next up. When it is your turn walk up to the platform, introduce yourself to the adjudicator and tell him/her what you are going to play. If required you do have a 3 minute tuning time available to you but as soon as the 3 minutes are up you must begin playing immediately.

When you are finished playing, the adjudicator may speak to you about your performance. Listen carefully Remember to be respectful of the adjudicator.