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Strathaven and District Pipe Band - History

 

As the familiar skirl grows in volume, the hairs on the back of the neck stand to attention, a foot starts an uncounscious beat, the pulse quickens and a vague feeling of pride swells the breast.By the time the band comes past the tunes are being hummed and an occasional tear swells in the eye. It is difficult to explain why, but the pipes and drums evoke deep passions amongst Scots (and many others) and no occasion of note in Scotland is complete without a pipe band. Since 1973 the special events in the calander of Strathaven and the surrounding district have been graced by the sound of the Strathaven and District Pipe Band.

1973

January 1973.The band is formed

The committee minutes of Feb 1973 record that the following office bearers are elected:
Chairman - Mr John W Kernaghan
Pipe Major - Mr James Whitelaw
Secretary - Mrs Doris Kernaghan
Treasurer - Mrs Ann Stuart
Other Committee members were Miss Karen Laurie, Mr John Lowry, Mr William Richmond, Mr John Simpson, Mr James Whitelaw, Mrs Lowry, Mr Leggate, Mrs Simpson and Mrs Whitelaw. The minutes also record that Sheriff Thomson was proposed as Pipe Band President.The minutes of the march meeting record that Sheriff Thomson declined due to pressures of his other commitments. The band is originally formed as Strathaven Pipe Band but the the name is amended to Strathaven and District Pipe Band after a motion proposed by Mrs Kernaghan is passed at the April 1973 committee meeting.


First committee decide that the band kilt will be the Ancient green Douglas and it still is today. A quote was given by Avon Textiless at £24 per kilt.

 


John (Jack) Lowry leads the band on parade in the mid 70's. Pipe Major Jimmy Whitelaw is on the far left front row. The rest of the band is Front Row L-R PM Jimmy Whitelaw, Mark Stuart, ?, ?. 2nd row L-R Stuart Paul, Ken Jackson, David (dusty) Miller, Bobby Love. 3rd row L-R Sandy Fleming,John Callan,David Kirkwood,?.

May 1976

As part of an twinning agreement between East Kilbride and Ballerup in Denmark the band accept an invitation to go to Ballerup. The minutes record the expected cost of taking the band over to Ballerup by coach and ferry as £1839.25 plus the cost of meals and accomodation for the two bus drivers. Strangely the minutes also record that enquires should be made to see if calor gas can be taken on the ferry!

June 1977

The pipe bands reciprocate the hospitality they received in Denmark and are hosts to the Ballerup Drum Band. The Danish band are shown around incluing visits to Edinburgh, Dunfermline, East Kilbride, Burns Cottage and Culzean castle over the weekend they are here.

Jan 1978. The pipe band make an audacious offer to purchase the old Scout Hall in Strathaven. However the terms offered by the Scout and Guide association could not be agreed to by the band and they withdraw their offer of £2000.

April 1978. The pipe band take part in the Round Table sponsored Sir Harry Lauder Walk

June 1978. Crisis in the band as PM James Whitelaw threatens to resign and the committee are given a vote of no confidence. A new commitee is elected and relative peace returns.

Feb 1980. Due to illness PM James Whitelaw can not carry out his playing duties. Fortunately the band were able to secure the services of John McPherson (brother of the world reknowned Donald McPherson) who stepped in to the gap.

This picture shows the band practicing in the Strathaven Academy Hall. PM John McPherson is on the right of the picture in the black jacket.

28th October 1980. A function is held at the Springvale Hotel in Strathaven to honour the work carried out by Pipe Major James Whitelaw. The event was by all accounts a great success. In appreciation of his sterling work for the band the office of Honorary President was bestowed on him.

March 1987. The band play at the inagural flight of Chieftain Airways.

Davie Muircroft playing at the Launch of Chieftain Airways.

September 1987. The band return to Ballerup.

The picture shows the band in Denmark. PM Mark Stewart is on the far left. For more pictures from Ballerup click Here

1999 The band play in the Marie Curie march of 10000 pipers in Edinburgh.
A career highlight for many of the band members was the march down Edinburghs' famous Princess Street. Each side was packed with spectators and the atmosphere was incredible. As the parade discorged it's participants into the grassmarket, an impromtu ceildh started as pipers and drummers formed a massed band hundreds strong. As each player tired they nipped into the nearest pub for a light refreshment and were soon back out playing again. What the passing tourists made of it who knows.

30th Dec 1999. The band join hundreds of other pipers and drummers as they march down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. This evening parade had thousands of people lining the royal mile to watch and despite being bitterly cold was throughly enjoyed by all the band members...even those who had dry ice squirted up their kilt curtesy of one of the TV stations covering the event!

 

00.01am January 1st 2000.

The band play 'right after the bells' at the Strathaven Millenium Party held in the George Allen Park (Strathaven Park). The party was in the drained duck pond and thousands of people had gathered to celebrate the start of a new millenium. As the bells stopped PM Iain Tennant marched the band into the front of the crowd where there appeared to be a space the band could play in. As the band arrived the reason for the space became clear as they marched right into a puddle inches deep. Undetered the band played on and recieved thunderous applause when they finished. Somehow, with all the celebrations (and the whisky) nobody noticed their wet feet.

 

2001

Band take up an offer to play at the Schots Weekend piping festival in Alden Biesen. Over twenty bands from around europe competed in the picturesque setting of Alden Biesen castle. A Celtic flavour concert in a huge marquee caps the competition day.


The band line up for the march past at the Alden Biesen festival. Front Row L-r PM Ian Tennent, David Moorcroft, Steve Kerr, John Cox. 2nd Row L-R David Miller, Alan Cruickshank, Chris MacKenzie. 3rd row L-R Norman Mort, Alasdair Dean , Stewart Graham. 4th row Willie Goldie, Ronnie, 5th Row Mary Smith, Janice, 6th row Alan Smith.

For more pictures from Alden Biesen click Here

 

2003

Peter Halliday who has been selflessly giving up his time to teach the learners at the band for many years, has two of his compositions included in the new book of tunes by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association. The tunes include his excellent 4/4 Pipe Major Ian Tennant, composed for our current Pipe Major and played regularly by the band.

 

2005

The band start the year playing at the wedding of long time band member Norman Mort and his finance Ennis. The reception took place at the Strathaven Hotel and the band for the night were, pipeband ceilidh regulars, Millreel. Needless to say it was a marvelous night.
A new gig this year as the band play at the Quarter Gala Day. The march went well and all was set for a lovely afternoon in the main field until the rain came down with a vehemence not seen since biblical times. There was nothing for it but to head for the pub. Hopefully next year will be a little drier.
Some of the pipers from the band (Ian Tennent, Stewart Graham,Aly Menzies, Izzy, Chris MacKenzie, Ross, John Cox, Norman Mort, Davie Muircroft) take part in the Pipefest march in Edinburgh. Linking up with thousands of other pipers and drummers from all parts of the world was a fabulous experience and one none of those that went will ever forget. Izzy as more reason than most to remember it as it was her first outing with the band. To view some pictures of the trip click Here
The highlight of the year has undoubtedly been the trip to Tiree. The band originally set out for three days in the lovely hebridian isle of Tiree however due to bad weather on the Monday the trip lasted five. To read more on the trip click Here
The band ceilidh took place in the Strathaven Hotel (the first event in its newly refurbished hall) in November and was by common agreement a fantastic night. The band were (as is now almost a tradition) Millreel who were in excellent form. There was even a rendition of the Tiree Rover by Steve, Aly and Chris to revive memories of Tiree.
To round of the year the band play at the switching on of the Stonehouse Christmas lights.

 
 !   Highlights
  • Band Formed in 1973
  • First PM - James Whitelaw
  • John MacPherson brother of the well known solo piper Donald MacPherson becomes PM.
  • For a couple of years the well known Gaelic singer comedian and piper Norman MacLean plays with the band.
  • Peter Ligget becomes PM.
  • Ian Tennent becomes PM.
  • 2001 Band Play Schots weekend in Alden Biesen, Belgium
  • Nov 2002 The Pipe Band sign a five year sponsorship deal with local businessman Hugh Paterson.
  • Aug 2005. Some of the band take part in the Pipefest march in Edinburgh

  • Sept 2005. The band visit the beautiful isle of Tiree. To read more on the trip click Here


Strathaven and District Pipe Band •