A pet shop owner has accused organisers of Elgin’s first mass pipe band event of poor planning after the wail of bagpipers posted outside his premises sent his animals scurrying in terror.
A procession of bands from as far afield as Ullapool, Strathisla and Huntly played their way through the town-centre on Saturday as part of Elgin Business Improvement District’s Scottish theme day.
However, FP Birnie Pet Shop owner Andrew Birnie could not believe it when he realised one of the designated stop-off locations was on Batchen Lane – a stone’s throw from his shop.
Last night organisers promised they would consider alternative venues in future after Mr Birnie claimed the skirl of the pipes left his birds, reptiles and fish – not to mention the resident dogs – “nervous” and “scared”.
He said: “With that amount of noise in a small lane, it wasn’t that well placed for us.
“The birds were a bit nervous about it. They all went dead quiet because they didn’t know what it was, but as soon as it stopped, they seemed alright.
“The women who lives upstairs has a couple of dogs and they were stressed by it all.
“I had my dog in the shop — he didn’t like it either.”
Mr Birnie added that the event – designed to bring more potential business into the town – made it impossible for people to get to his shop.
He said: “People couldn’t get down the lane, and they were having to say ‘excuse me’, while the band were playing to get past.
“We never heard anything about it ahead of time at all. If they hadn’t come down Batchen Lane it would have been better for us.”
A Bid spokeswoman said the group took on board Mr Birnie’s concerns.
She said: “Overall, the feedback we have had has been really positive to the event on Saturday.
“We are often asked by businesses at the east and west end of the High Street to take things to their areas to try and attract people to move around the city.
“That was the purpose of hosting the bands in different areas.
“We take on board the comments about Mr Birnie’s pet shop, and we will, of course, look for an alternative venue for any future activities.”