Bosses at the BBC are coming under heavy fire over their rumoured decision to cut coverage of the World Pipe Band Championships as part of a drive to save £500million.
AN SNP MSP has demanded the BBC immediately reverse the decision to cut coverage of the hugely popular event that takes place every year on Glasgow Green.
SNP MSP Stuart McMillan, who is also a piper, called on the BBC to immediately reverse the decision, saying it had “echoes of 1746” which saw the British state move to crush the clan system after the Jacobite uprising of 1745.
The Lewis and Harris Piping Society has joined the criticism of the BBC for axing the championships, informally known as The Worlds, which draws a crowd of about 40,000 to the event with significant numbers also watching on television.
Although he stopped short of likening the move to the crackdown of 1746, piping society chairman Dr John Smith agreed it was also a blow to wider Scottish cultural interests.
Dr Smith said: “As chairman of The Lewis and Harris Piping Society I have to express my extreme disappointment at the news that the BBC will no longer be recording and broadcasting the World Pipe Band Championships.”
He also expressed his disappointment “as a disabled person who is no longer really able to physically attend Glasgow Green”.
He said: “It has been a tremendous pleasure to watch the live broadcast of the competition. Unfortunately that is the way things are going at the BBC, that the less populist programmes are being cut in the interests of economy.”
He conceded £500million was a lot of money to have to save and there was no doubt that recording something like the Worlds would be expensive.
Addressing Mr McMilllan’s comments on 1746, he said: “I personally wouldn’t go that far but there’s no doubt that Scottish cultural interests, both song and instrumental, are heavily biased against by the BBC establishment.”
It has been widely reported the BBC will no longer broadcast the World Pipe Band Championship as part of a savings drive to cut £500million.
It comes as the BBC is rumoured to be on the verge of cutting 350 jobs in Scotland and even shutting down the BBC Scotland channel entirely, as the axe swings disproportionately on Scottish productions.
SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has written to BBC Director General Matt Brittin, demanding a rethink. He has also demanded an explanation of how the move meets the BBC Charter purpose of “representing the UK, its nations, regions and communities” and “the promotion of traditional arts, culture, and heritage through its official Public Purposes.”
Mr McMillan described as “deeply concerning” the media reports that the BBC would no longer broadcast the World Pipe Band Championships “after 21 successful years”.
He pointed out the World Pipe Band Championships partnership with the BBC had been a success story for both organisations.
“For the BBC, it has brought in strong viewership and given your organisation the ability to sell rights to broadcasters in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Pakistan.
“For the bands, it has given them the platform to showcase their skills as world class musicians and capture new audiences to the brilliant spectacle that pipe bands create – this has been a mutually beneficial relationship.”
Mr McMillan said it was “absolutely staggering that this is where your organisation has chosen to wield the axe – pipe bands and the World Championships are woven into the fabric of Scottish society, it is a vital and well-respected aspect of our culture”.
He added: “Around 40,000 people a year attend the championships – that is significantly higher than many more expensive sport and music events that the BBC plough cash in to.
“It really does beg the question what it is about these championships that the London based BBC has so little regard far.
“This decision has echoes of 1746 when the British state ruthlessly rained down on Highland life and culture.
“The BBC Charter is clear that your purpose must be to represent the ‘nations, regions and communities’ and ‘the promotion of traditional arts, culture, and heritage through its official Public Purposes’.
“I fail to understand how this decision fulfils those purposes so rather than inflicting this damaging decision on Scottish culture, you must immediately reverse this decision.”
