For the Summer in the City season of street theatre in Glasgow, Mischief developed a troop of cartoonish soldiers ‘The Glasgow City Guard’ that would perform every Saturday and Sunday throughout the Summer.

The routine was choreographed to original music, and consisted of a Parade March the length of Buchanan Street which culminated in the ritual 1 o’clock ‘Firing of the Haggis’.

After complicated formation dancing and parade ground manoeuvres, the soldiers assembled the Haggis cannon from elastic braces (and pyrotechnics), and sent the wee beastie into orbit. They then marched back up the hill to the barracks in the Royal Concert Hall.

The point of this, apart from being very amusing, was to create an instant humorous tradition that pointed up the Glaswegian dislike of pomposity. It also de-fused the image of ‘marching bands’, which have a deep-rooted symbolism in this city.

It was hoped that this ‘manifestation’ might persevere in future years, with ‘The Glasgow City Guard’ accompanying the Lord Provost on international missions etc, but the ‘powers that be’ have their limits.