The are four grades of bagpipe bands. The top pipe bands in the world are in Grade I. Grade II is the next category. Grade III and IV follow.

To the untrained ear, Grade IV pipe bands are very good and entertaining. To musicians with training in the pipes, however, nothing compares to a Grade I pipe band.

     
      Bands move up and down in grade depending on how they fare in competition. For example, the Bay Area's own MacTarnahan's Prince Charles Pipe Band won the Grade II World Championship in competition in 2003. Their winning resulted in their being promoted to Grade I and they are now one of three Grade I bands located in the United States. The other Grade I bands are the L. A. Scots Pipe Band and the City of Washington Pipe Band.  
     
      The Caledonian Club of San Francisco, which produces these Scottish Games, also sponsors the Prince Charles (Caledonian Club of San Francisco) Pipe Band which competes as a Grade III band. The players in this band range in age from 12 to the late teens. This is the next generation of pipers and drummers and ensures a continual flow of Scottish musicians for future performances and competitions. On August 16, 2003, this band won the Grade III World Championship in Glasgow.

As well, the Prince Charles Organization has a junior band made up of even younger members and this is the beginning band for the Organization.  
      
      The Scottish Gathering and Games will hold pipe band competitions on Saturday and Sunday. Pipe bands will compete with other bands in their grade. A Grade I pipe band, for example, will compete with other Grade I bands, not with Grade II bands.

      More than 30 pipe bands will play together at the end of each day in the Massed Bands show in front of the Grandstand.  More than 750 pipers and drummers will march in formation and play inspirational Scottish music, including "Scotland the Brave," Amazing Grace," "Salute to the Chief" and "Highland Laddie."  A must see event!!!