A Short History Of
The Scottish Brass Band Association &
The Scottish Brass Band Championships
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Lochgelly Band - circa 1890
     
 

Early Contesting

The first recorded Brass Band Contest in Scotland took place at Wemyss Castle Estate near Kirkcaldy, Fife in July 1885. A first prize of ?40 and a travel grant of ?10 was enough to lure the champion band of England, Besses O? Th? Barn from Lancashire to compete. Besses Band emerged as winners of the main Contest and the ?40 prize, also winning the subsidiary event, a March Contest for which they received another ?2. Alloa Burgh Band were placed a lowly second and the Kirkcaldy Trades Band third.		  

Based on research by Hugh Johnstone MBE
and adapted from his original text.
Additional research by
Gordon Simpson and Alan McLaren