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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 decides that the band kilt will be the Ancient green Douglas and it still is today. A quote was given by
Avon Textiles 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 accommodation 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
including visits to Edinburgh, Dunfermline, East Kilbride, Burns Cottage and
Culzean castle over the weekend they are here.
Jan 1978. The pipe band makes 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 committee is elected
and relative peace returns.
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