Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law

Subject: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST,Blackford John
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 10:11 AM

Are there any laws governing busking in Scottish towns and cities, either national law or local bye-laws that any mudcatters know of?

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: swirlygirl
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 10:38 AM

If there are then whoever lets half of the bloody buskers into Buchanan Street in Glasgow should be shot!!

We need quality control up there!

Too many "singing" the Fields of Bloody Athenrye...

seriously...not that I know of in Glasgow anyway...not sure about elsewhere...

:)

xxx

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 12:14 PM

We regularly have buskers, some of them v. good,(and then there are the others),in the pedestrian precinct in Inverness. There does not seem to be any restrictions, and it gets v. interesting when you get a piper at one end of the street, and the ubiquitous Peruvian folk group at the other end.
Failte.....Giok

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: swirlygirl
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 12:18 PM

It makes you realise how many people live in Peru doesn't it?

:)

xxx

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 12:35 PM

Busking in Public

How would one busk in private?

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 12:42 PM

Since it varies so much from place to place, I would suggest you contact the authorities where you want to busk and just ASK!

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 01:36 PM

If you ask certain civil servants anything, they give an initial negative answer, just out of principle--if you feel you must ask something, ask for referral to the applicable laws and regulations--then ask what the policy on enforcing those laws is--

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: swirlygirl
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 02:12 PM

BUSK: probably from Italian buscare to procure, gain, from Spanish buscar to look for

If it means to procure, or to gain, then you could surely procure musical happiness for yourself by busking in private and gain loads spiritually?

To look for, I'm not sure where that fits...

:)

xxx

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 03:03 PM

Clinton:I'll have you know that there are times when I've made more money busking privately, than I have when busking publicly, ( And I've never been moved on!!)
Failte.....Giok

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Maryrrf
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 09:56 PM

I have a friend in Scotland who busks regularly and he's never been hassled.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Hrothgar
Date: 20 Jan 02 - 03:51 AM

Didn't "busking" in Scots once mean dressing? One hopes that anyone busking in the streets sticks to the modern usage.

Could be even worse if they try un-busking.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Jan 02 - 05:07 AM

Busk busk bonnie lassie, and come awa wi me,
And I'll tak ye tae Glen Isla,near bonny Glen Shee
Failte.....Giok

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: breezy
Date: 20 Jan 02 - 09:50 AM

Then there's all them pipers busking in Lima.
As long as they stay out of my patch, espacially sexophonists, string quartwats and amplified backing tracks.
Feel better now
Buscare O O
I feel a highbrow parody coming over me
bye

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 21 Jan 02 - 09:26 AM

Glasgow:

I think that rather than relax any legislation, or introduce any new stuff, the police started taking the view about 15 years ago that people (the public) liked it, so why hassle the performers?

As a result, in Sauchiehall Street, one can hear a reggae trio at one end, a brass quartet at the other, and all other sorts in between..

Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Grab
Date: 21 Jan 02 - 04:52 PM

"Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission" and all that... But if you're singing the wrong religion of Irish song near the wrong football ground in Glasgow, be prepared to run!

Graham.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 06:01 AM

Exception: Edinburgh High Street during the Festival. They have time slots for fixed locations and you only get to play if you're part of a Fringe show. There is tough competition for good spots away from there, and usually the Peruvian arseholes have their massive PA rig set up outside the St James Centre making the eastern end of Princes St impossible for anyone else.

Why have so many of the busking threads been closed? There doesn't seem to be anything untoward in the ones I've looked at.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: breezy
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 06:32 AM

reproduced without consent.

re Pan Pipers

These guys are generally known as "The Peruvian Pests". A travelling UK folk journalist has noted that they sell exactly the SAME recording in diverse parts of the world. I have two major objections to them - no, make that three.

1) Their music is over-amplified. This is busking raised to the level of social nuisance - and, unlike most buskers , they have no respect for other musicians working the same general area. (The outfit in Cambridge is loud enough but is NOTHING to the one we heard on our last visit to Spain - quite literally, 100 yards from them we had to move behind a pillar to conduct a conversation with each other without shouting . . )

2) The "economy" outfit performs to backing tapes. Always pisses me off, with any buskers . .

3) Mostly their music is banal - and far removed from its source (indeed it includes an incresing proportion of "western pop standards").

Very occasionally I've heard exceptions to this pattern (so perhaps Larry's struck luckier than I have) but in the main part I find them a pain in the ears . .

But by observation they appear to be making a good income at this . .

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: BobKnight
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 07:16 AM

Lots of "buskers" on Union Street, Aberdeen. Looks to me as if the beggars have moved up-market, and are trying to do something for their money apart from just holding out a hand while sitting on a filthy blanket. The standard is pretty abysmal though.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: meself
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 07:24 AM

Far be it from me to defend Peruvians, but:

Why wouldn't they "sell exactly the SAME recording in diverse parts of the world"? That is a bizarre criticism - isn't that what all (financially) successful musical acts do?

If they are playing "western pop standards", it is no doubt because that's what they make the most money playing. In other words, it's what the public rewards them for playing. In other words, it's what the public prefers to hear.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 08:07 AM

..."Why wouldn't they "sell exactly the SAME recording in diverse parts of the world"? That is a bizarre criticism - isn't that what all (financially) successful musical acts do?...

I may be mistaken, but I think the point is that the Peruvians whom you see puffing on their pan pipes at any given time are not necessarily the ones who are playing on the CD.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: meself
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 08:20 AM

Okay, that makes more sense. I was under the impression that we were talking about one particular Peruvian act, rather than tarring all busking Peruvians with the same brush. That being the case, are we necessarily talking about Peruvians, or are we using "Peruvian" to refer to any South American buskers? Just wondering.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 08:42 AM

Most of them are Peruvian. Apparently they owe their origin to a shop in England that set them up as a kind of franchised business - a sort of "fair trade" initiative. They're as indistinguishable from each other as two branches of Starbucks. It doesn't make much difference that they sell the same CD because you couldn't tell which of them recorded it.

More on the Pan Pipe Buskers thread.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: meself
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 08:45 AM

I note in passing that the criticisms that Breezy quotes are seven years old, taken from the Pan Pipe thread - which contains a variety of views on and experiences related to the subject.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: goatfell
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 11:48 AM

you need a licence to busk in Scotland if you don't then you're concered a beggar

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 12:12 PM

I've never heard of any such thing as a licence for buskers in any local authority in Scotland and I don't believe they exist. I've never been asked for one.

If you believe in them, tell me where you apply for one.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: BobKnight
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 09:16 AM

You don't need a license, or permission to busk on the streets of Aberdeen. Visit the Abedeen Coucil website where that can be verified.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 13 Nov 10 - 04:50 AM

Just received an email from Joe Egan telling me that Gerry Rafferty is seriously ill and doctors are not holding out much hope. I first met Gerry as a young busker in Glasgow in the 1960's, he was one of the finest folk singers I ever met. I don't know if any of you will recall a Scottish folk group called The Humblebums, they were a permanent fixture in the Old Scotia Bar in Glasgow, some great acts went through that place. Sorry for the drift.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: SylviaN
Date: 13 Nov 10 - 06:15 AM

Richie, really sorry to hear about Gerry. Hope you don't mind, but I'm going to start a new thread where I'll quote you.

Sylvia

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 13 Nov 10 - 08:01 AM

The law in Britain is rather grey on Busking as individual authorities can have different bye laws on it. Generally it's best to just give the local police a call and they usually say fine unless you cause an obstruction. One or two places still require you to have a license, though under European law busking comes under 'artistic free speech' which allows busking even on private premises e.g you could legally bust at a music festival providing you didn't interfere with it's smooth running (not next to the stage eh!)

In Ireland there are no laws nor restrictions on Busking, in fact if you were to attract enough listeners to qualify for causing an obstruction, it's the crowd who are obliged to move not the Musician! First time I ever busked was completely by accident. I sat on a little bench outside a pub in Kilkenny, when a couple passing by dropped a 2 Euro coin in my gig bag! Used to be a custom in Ireland that musicians got free drinks in a pub, now that's something I'd like to see become law ;)

Desi C
The Circle Folk Club U.K
Midlands every Wed
info mail [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 11:15 AM

I got hassled by a policeman in Edinburgh one time who moved me on for not having a busking licence. When I went to the council offices on the High Street they told me there was no such thing. That was a few years ago now but I've heard of no changes to the law.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Musket
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 11:21 AM

Many years ago, after I got a bit bolshy, (18 years old, I knew everything...) I refused to move on when busking with a mate in Sheffield. (Ok, England not Scotland but the law for both seems grey.)

In the end I was marched off to the police station where the desk sergeant told me I was being cautioned for "aggressive vagrancy."

Many years later, when I needed an enhanced CRB, it didn't show. I have had CRB checks at regular intervals since and still, never turns up.

Can't help thinking plod was bullshitting me in order to get me to stop busking, (the aim of their exercise I suppose,) and there is no such charge, or if there is, I couldn't be charged with it.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 12:09 PM

Obstructing the public highway, is the usual catchall excuse for moving one on.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST,Stevie
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 01:06 PM

The day i need to ask permission to knock a wee bit song, pigs will fly and the stars will fall from the sky....Never.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST,End of tether resident
Date: 05 Jun 17 - 07:52 AM

Old thread but....for those of you who find busking funny, or that people should have a right to busk, I live in third/top floor of a narrow town high street in Fife. Sounds seem to amplify upwards. I put up with screaming seagulls most of the time and screaming drinks at night. I live with ear plugs in almost permanently and no matter how hot, closed Windows. A guy has taken to busking near by. Amplified music every and all afternoon. Ear plugs don't block him out. It is enough to top me over the edge and I honestly feel suicidal. It is my own property and I can't afford to move. Nobody seems able or interested in helping. I can see no way out. So you joke on about busking but forgive me if I don't laugh.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jun 17 - 10:32 AM

I agree with Guest above, for anyone living or working near a busker, it is pure hell. The "right" to busk should not over ride the rights of residents.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST,Pat Cooksey.
Date: 05 Jun 17 - 03:43 PM

Many years ago I played in the streets of Glasgow and Aberdeen, without any problem, admit it was a long time ago but made a good income from CD sales,returned to Glasgow with the Furey's in a very big hall and met Bily Connolly, really nice guy, sorry to hear Billy is not so well.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Jack Campin
Date: 05 Jun 17 - 06:56 PM

At a guess "end of tether" is in Dunfermline. Having heard the buskers there, and seeing what the town centre is like, I can see the problem. The council probably believes they're local colour.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 05 Jun 17 - 07:20 PM

I realise this thread is 15 years old, but here's the latest update for anyone wanting to busk in Edinburgh over Festival Fringe time!
Busking in Edinburgh

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: leeneia
Date: 06 Jun 17 - 12:28 PM

Hello, End of Tether. You have my sympathy.

1. Earplugs "go the wrong way." They are designed to mask machine noise while letting voices be heard. They only make the busker's music clearer.

2. My sister was complaining bitterly about college students and their end-of-term parties with loud rock music. I searched the web and bought her this:

http://boombuster.com/

Might be worth a try.

3. Why not throw open your windows and put Beethoven's Ninth or The 1812 Overture on your stereo at high volume? The busker might go somewhere else.

===========
In my view, buskers should not be amplified.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Jack Campin
Date: 06 Jun 17 - 01:54 PM

Why not throw open your windows and put Beethoven's Ninth or The 1812 Overture on your stereo at high volume?

And add to the annoyance all the neighbours are enduring?

This is the kind of place I imagine end-of-tether is talking about:

https://goo.gl/maps/XRDermt57CA2

If you look up, those upper floors will mostly be residential. The street has the acoustics of an opera house.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: meself
Date: 06 Jun 17 - 02:40 PM

leenia: did your sister find that the boombuster worked?

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: leeneia
Date: 06 Jun 17 - 03:40 PM

She hasn't said whether it worked. The college students moved out for summer, and there haven't been any nosy parties recently.

Jack, if the busker gets the hint, it would be worth it for everybody to hear a little classical music.

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: BobL
Date: 07 Jun 17 - 03:31 AM

EoT, would you or your neighbours be allowed to empty a piss-pot out of the window with a shout of "gardy-loo"?

Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 07 Jun 17 - 10:33 AM

Manchester council has a page saying "...busking activity must also not cause a noise nuisance to those living or working nearby due to either the volume and/or duration of the performance...." but it doesn't say what their process is for dealing with a complaint.
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200063/licences_and_permissions/6565/busking_-_code_of_conduct#feedback

I think I'd be asking my local councillor. And asking all of them when it comes to election time.