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Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law

19 Jan 02 - 10:11 AM (#631056)
Subject: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST,Blackford John

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


19 Jan 02 - 10:38 AM (#631064)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: swirlygirl

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


19 Jan 02 - 12:14 PM (#631108)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: John MacKenzie

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


19 Jan 02 - 12:18 PM (#631110)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: swirlygirl

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

:)

xxx


19 Jan 02 - 12:35 PM (#631119)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Clinton Hammond

Busking in Public

How would one busk in private?


19 Jan 02 - 12:42 PM (#631124)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Sorcha

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


19 Jan 02 - 01:36 PM (#631148)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: M.Ted

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--


19 Jan 02 - 02:12 PM (#631167)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: swirlygirl

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


19 Jan 02 - 03:03 PM (#631194)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: John MacKenzie

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


19 Jan 02 - 09:56 PM (#631409)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Maryrrf

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


20 Jan 02 - 03:51 AM (#631513)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Hrothgar

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.


20 Jan 02 - 05:07 AM (#631518)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: John MacKenzie

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


20 Jan 02 - 09:50 AM (#631565)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: breezy

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


21 Jan 02 - 09:26 AM (#632138)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Scabby Douglas

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


21 Jan 02 - 04:52 PM (#632452)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Grab

"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.


31 Mar 09 - 06:01 AM (#2601084)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Jack Campin

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.


31 Mar 09 - 06:32 AM (#2601098)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: breezy

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 . .


31 Mar 09 - 07:16 AM (#2601118)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: BobKnight

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.


31 Mar 09 - 07:24 AM (#2601125)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: meself

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.


31 Mar 09 - 08:07 AM (#2601161)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Murray MacLeod

..."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.


31 Mar 09 - 08:20 AM (#2601173)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: meself

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.


31 Mar 09 - 08:42 AM (#2601188)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Jack Campin

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.


31 Mar 09 - 08:45 AM (#2601193)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: meself

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.


31 Mar 09 - 11:48 AM (#2601345)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: goatfell

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


31 Mar 09 - 12:12 PM (#2601364)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Jack Campin

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.


21 Mar 10 - 09:16 AM (#2868549)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: BobKnight

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.


13 Nov 10 - 04:50 AM (#3030931)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)

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.


13 Nov 10 - 06:15 AM (#3030962)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: SylviaN

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


13 Nov 10 - 08:01 AM (#3030994)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST,Desi C

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 crc778@aol.com


26 Jun 11 - 11:15 AM (#3176716)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST

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.


26 Jun 11 - 11:21 AM (#3176717)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Musket

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.


26 Jun 11 - 12:09 PM (#3176725)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: John MacKenzie

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


28 Oct 12 - 01:06 PM (#3427302)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST,Stevie

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.


05 Jun 17 - 07:52 AM (#3859008)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST,End of tether resident

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.


05 Jun 17 - 10:32 AM (#3859038)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST

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.


05 Jun 17 - 03:43 PM (#3859091)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: GUEST,Pat Cooksey.

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.


05 Jun 17 - 06:56 PM (#3859120)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Jack Campin

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.


05 Jun 17 - 07:20 PM (#3859125)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Tattie Bogle

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


06 Jun 17 - 12:28 PM (#3859250)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: leeneia

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.


06 Jun 17 - 01:54 PM (#3859275)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: Jack Campin

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.


06 Jun 17 - 02:40 PM (#3859281)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: meself

leenia: did your sister find that the boombuster worked?


06 Jun 17 - 03:40 PM (#3859296)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: leeneia

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.


07 Jun 17 - 03:31 AM (#3859360)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: BobL

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


07 Jun 17 - 10:33 AM (#3859439)
Subject: RE: Help: Busking in Public - Scottish Law
From: FreddyHeadey

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.