Burgess Trophy

Strathclyde Police Pipe Band would like to express our extreme gratitude to Shelia Burgess for her wonderful gesture in presenting us with a beautiful trophy in memory of her husband John. The trophy has already taken pride of place on our display, where it will remain as a lasting tribute to John and a valued reminder of our trip to Tain and Shelia's own convivial company. Pictured here is Don Bradford playing the 6/8 March 'John D Burgess'.

That day has many fond memories for us as it was probably the best performance of the season. Pictured is the sad moment when we parted company with Shelia on our way home, dropping her at the front door of her house. Pictured below are two images of the John D. Burgess quaich.

Local Crime Prevention Panel Party

Thursday the 8th of December was Donald Mackay's turn to play at the annual Townhead and Cowcaddens Crime Prevention Panels Christmas Party, held in the Resident's Community Centre across the road from our office. Pictured are some of the 30 members who enjoyed the lunch and party games which ran for most of the afternoon.

The piper starts proceedings playing a few tunes with requests from the panel members, many of whom have followed the band for a long time, watching them leave and return from competitions and engagements over the years from outside the office. The event was organised and ran by the Community Safety Department of Glasgow's City Centre police station to thank them for the sterling efforts over the year.

ESTR Conference

On Wednesday the 30th of November the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) hosted an international conference for ESTR, the European Suspicious Transaction Reports. Between 70 and 80 policy makers and financial investigators, representing each of the 25 Member States, Europol, Eurojust, Applicant States and other International organisations, met between 29th and 30th November 2005, at Cameron House Hotel, Loch Lomond, to discuss the enhancement of all Member States efforts in the investigation, disruption and prosecution of organised criminals operating across Europe.

This important Conference, which is supported by the European Commission AGIS Programme, in partnership with the SDEA and the Belgian Federal Police - Directorate for Financial Crime, will establish an informal network of practitioners and expert Law Enforcement Investigators to improve mutual understanding and knowledge on methods and techniques employed in the investigation of serious organised crime linked with pan European money laundering. This will improve the identification of associated Suspicious Transaction Reports and assist in the investigation of multi-jurisdiction serious and organised crime.

With the conference coinciding with St Andrews night and being held in Scotland, we provided typical Scottish entertainment during the dinner with a mini band, and piper Neil Clark giving a fine address to the Haggis. All going down very well.

It is widely accepted that organised criminals operate in pursuit of two interlinked commodities, power and profit. In recent years, international law enforcement agencies have recognised that to be truly effective against these criminal networks, they must attack both their overt criminal activity and the money generated by that activity. In Scotland, the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency's (SDEA) approach to serious organised crime is increasingly founded on the implementation of the UK Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

To effectively investigate Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) with a European dimension, the SDEA, and indeed law enforcement agencies throughout Europe, increasingly require the cooperation and assistance of other Member States. Serious organised crime quickly adapts to new opportunities exploiting intelligence gaps between European law enforcement agencies.
Increased partnership working within the EU greatly enhances the identification of Organised Criminal Enterprises (OCE's) engaged in multi-jurisdiction money laundering and increases the opportunities available to law enforcement to target those involved.

Vatican Christmas Concert

 

We had just pressed "send" on the computer with the Remembrance Sunday update to our Web site designer stating that the band was more or less finished for the year when the phone rang. It was Prime Time Promotions of Rome, Italy, seeking a pipe band to come out and play at this years Vatican Christmas Concert.

 

The full band were invited out to perform at the Aula of Paolo VI, Vatican on the 3rd of December; where, at this very prestigious event, played in front of an audience of over eight thousand people. The concert, also recorded by y Italian television and radio for their national broadcasts on Christmas Eve included other artists such as Paul Anka, Dolores O'Riordan, Daniela Mercury, Miriam Makeba, Claudio Baglioni, Riccardo Cocciante, Gigi D'Alessio, I Miramar, Alex Britt, Mango, Dolce, Gelada Nubile, Nicky Nicola, Stefano Did Batiste and Gain Luca Trinova and many more in this world renowned show.

 

Our part of the concert was to add a festive feel, as we were told bagpipes in Italy are very much associated with Christmas. Marching in from the rear of the auditorium in pairs down through the centre of the audience, splitting at the front of the stage, one half of the band going left, and the other half going right.  p onto the stage in single file, crossing over before turning to face the audience in the middle of the stage as one straight line. As this was a Christmas concert we finished off our set with "Jingle Bells" before leaving the stage to rapturous applause. A very brief performance by our standards but very enjoyable and worthwhile none the less and also great to put the band and force's name worldwide on the big stage again.

 

It was a whistle stop tour, leaving Glasgow airport at 06.15hrs on Friday 2nd of December and arriving in Rome for some rehearsals later that afternoon. The evening was for settling in and the next morning was a chance to see some of this historic city, band members managed to do the "tourist bit" with a city bus tour and trip of the Vatican before getting ready for the show which started at 18.00hrs. 09.00hrs on the Sunday morning seen us packing up and leaving for the journey home.

Pictured are the full band in St Peters square before the show with the Vatican behind them.  Picture of the auditorium before marching down onto the stage. Centre piece from the main foyer area. The Vatican at night, and some of the promotional pictures used in programmes of the event and venue. The band would like to again thank the organisers for inviting us out to perform at this prodigious event and also mention a special thank you to Paul and Max from the City of Rome Pipe Band who spent a lot of their own time looking after us.

William Kennedy Piping Festival

On Saturday 19 November, Brendan Murphy joined the impressive line up of solo pipers, Roddy Macleod, Rory Campbell, Andrew Carlisle, Ross Ainslie and Simon McKerrell, who all gave a recital at the 12th William Kennedy Piping Festival in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Staged at the Market Place Thearte they played to a packed audience over the afternoon, most of whom there for the duration of the whole festival, 14th - 20th of November.

The William Kennedy Piping Festival celebrates the life and work of William Kennedy, the 18th century piper, pipe maker and inventor who was born in 1768 near Banbridge and died in 1834 in Tandragee, County Armagh. William Kennedy was part of the evolutionary chain that brought uilleann pipes to the instrument we now hear and play today. This Festival, originally conceived to bring together pipers from different countries and traditions, was the first of its kind anywhere in Northern Europe. To date the event has brought pipers from Spain, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, Belarus, Canada, USA, England, Scotland, and Wales as well as the cream of Irish pipers to Armagh. 

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday was that last official full band engagement for us this year. Playing under pure blue skies with not a cloud in sight over Glasgow, made it one of the coldest parades for a few years. George Square accommodated the largest gathering of people in Scotland, over 1500 spectators and marchers turning out for the commemorations organised by the Royal British Legion of Scotland. Wreaths were laid by representatives of the Army, Navy and Air force and the city's Lord Provost Liz Cameron, along with the emergency services and various youth organisations.  

Although there are no more official band engagements this year we are still very busy, so keep logging on to find out what we are up to and hear any of the changes that will be happening. As a special for the people who regularly log on we will be listing a few visual and audio clips from some of the bands performances this season, so look out of that coming next month.

CD Release

Pipes, Drums and a Glasgow Girl has been completed and was officially released on Monday 7 November. The release took place in Glasgow at the quaint Cathedral House Hotel where various members of the press, family and friends were there to hear the music and songs from the CD for the first time and also to enjoy the food and wine that was provided. The tracks on the CD include Highland Cathedral, Scotland the Brave, Scots Wha Hae, Bonnie Dundee, Amazing Grace, Gin I Were a Baron's Heir and 23rd Psalm/By Cool Siloam/The Day Thou Givest Lord. This is the first time that the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band has ever recorded with a solo artist. All the details on the CD and sales can be found on Joann's Web site at www.glasgowgirl.com.

Solo Recital

On Saturday the 5 November, 2005, Neil Smith headed home to finish his solo competing season with a recital in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. A packed Royal British Legion heard him playing for nearly two hours. During the evening he played the Piobaireachd Rory Macleod's Lament and some new jig compositions by Don Bradford which all went down very well. Neil was originally taught by Angus MacLeod, brother of the late Pipe Major Donald MacLeod and Pipe Major Iain Morrison who he is still in regular contact with today.

Argentina - Buenos Aires

History was made on the last weekend of October when The St. Andrew's Society of the River Plate Pipe Band hosted not only their 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Celebrations but also the 2nd ever gathering of pipe bands from all over South America in their home town of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Seven bands in all attended from Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina itself. This was history not only because these Gatherings have just started but also the first time that the 3 bands from Buenos Aires played together in their own town, putting passed differences behind them and joining together showing the very strong piping, drumming and highland dancing scene in the area.

The weekend itself consisted of workshops on the Saturday and a Gathering on the Sunday. This all ultimately coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the St. Andrew's Society of the River Plate Pipe Band the hosts who also had their Golden Jubilee dinner and party on the Saturday night.

Pictured are the instructors Gordon Craig (Drumming), Kirsty Marsic (Highland Dancing) and Donald Mackay (Piping) who were all invited out to teach their various disciplines.  Donald representing the force and of course Strathclyde Police Pipe Band conducted 4 different lecture/workshops from Basic Techniques, Piobaireachd, Musical Appreciation to Pipe Band Tips. These were very well attended with well over 80 people at most of them.

On the Sunday the bands played on mass then individually in a 20 minute spot to the hugely enthusiastic crowd of over 1300 that attended. Gordon, Donald and Kirsty also performed together to the crowd whilst the bands took a break.  They also wrote out sheets on each bands performance giving their strong and weak points. This again a first for the association. It was not a competition as they have never had one in South America, yet! Some might say that this would spoil the party atmosphere, which was particularly evident at the end of the day when an impromptu massed bands started playing different tunes from each others repertoires. A great sight and something Scotland could learn from, if only we had the same weather to stand, play and have a beer for another hour after all is finished.

Also pictured with some of the members of the Brazilian band, Scottish Link, is Michael Flight (middle - white shirt) the organiser of this years event. Thanks again to him for everything and also to Pipe Major Brian Barthe and everyone else involved in making our stay pleasant and trip successful.

World Solo Drumming Results

Eric Ward this year confirmed again he is one of the best and most consistent solo drummers in the world by finishing in 2nd place in the World Solo Drumming competition for a staggering 10th time at Bathgate Academy on Saturday 30th October. The competition, a mecca for solo drumming attracted over 150 drummers from all over the world. They are split into heats with the winners then going forward into the two event final playing a March, Strathspey and Reel and a Hornpipe and Jig. This year Eric played Donald Cameron, Atholl Cummers and McAllister's Dirk. The Hornpipe, Miss Alison MacLean of Grogary and the jigs Donald Cameron's Powder Horn and The Eavesdropper. 

Also competing from the band were Leslie Galbraith, Steven Burns, Allan MacDonald and Neil Patterson making the semi final and new addition to the corps, Olav Goud making the final. Well done to everyone involved and not forgetting a big thanks to all the pipers who played for them.

Solo Piping Results - October

The Royal National MOD was this year held in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, where Gaels gather from far and wide to celebrate their language and culture and also home to Neil Smith who was there competing. He was placed 4th in the Piobaireachd event playing the classic tune, The Old Men of the Shells. Well done to him, another good result and great finish to his solo season.

Also competing from the band this month was young David Smith. The Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch - Greame Johnston Memorial Juvenile Solo Piping Contest on Saturday 22 October was held at the College of Piping here in Glasgow. David was placed 1st in the Jig and 4th in the March competitions - a very well done to him also.

Dortmund Mini Band

Saturday 22 October saw well over a hundred pipers and drummers taking to the Music School in Dortmund for what is fast becoming Germanys biggest indoor piping and drumming competition. Competitors of all ages and standards took part in various solo, quartet, quintet and mini band competitions. A mini band from Strathclyde Police Pipe Band was invited across after one of the competitions organisers attended a band practices of ours earlier in the year. We put on a small concert for the participants after all the competitions had finished, some of the sets we played went out live on Germanys WDR television channel. A great evening and an excellent finish to what was a very successful days piping and drumming. The band would like to thank Marco for all his help in organising the trip for us.

'Pipes & Partners'

Hot on our return from the successful trip down to Campbeltown the band was involved in a fundraising concert here in Glasgow on Thursday 6 October, 2005. Keppoch Campus is one of the first purpose built shared educational campuses in Scotland. Situated at the top of Stonyhurst Street. The impressive state-of-the-art building contains Saracen Primary, St Teresa's Primary and Broomlea Primary School for Complex Learning Difficulties. The complex also houses Keppoch Nursery, Keppoch After School Care and Stepping-Stones For Families.

‘Pipes & Partners’ was organised by Superintendent Paul Main of Saracen Police Office to help raise funds to aid the development of a community garden within the complex, allowing the pupils of Broomlea, St Teresa’s and Saracen Primary to be involved in the planting and maintenance, as part of their education. He is pictured above right with the head teachers from the schools involved.  Also in attendance and who opened the night (pictured front middle) was Culture Minister, Patricia Ferguson, who said; "I'm delighted to be taking part in this evening of fantastic music in support of the Keppoch Campus. "Music from around the world alongside with the more familiar sounds of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band will ensure an enjoyable night is had by all."

The evening's entertainment consisted of Scottish scheme songs, to Japanese Taiko Drumming, to Guitar and Keyboard groups as well as music for ourselves. A very enjoyable night that finished with all participants on stage playing out to the tune, Highland Cathedral.  A huge success raising over 3,000 pounds towards their fund. Pictured are the pupils from St Teresa's, Nearby Cleveden Secondary Taiko Drummers, Piper Duncan Nicholson joining the guitar group from Saracen Primary playing 'Hey Mr Tambourine Man' and the full band playing their finale piece with the pupils from Abercorn School.

Campbeltown Concert

On Saturday 2 October the band was invited to Campbeltown on the Kintyre peninsula to provide a 'Thank-you Campbeltown' concert from the Kintyre Schools Pipe Band, Kintyre Juvenile Pipe Band Association and Kintyre Piping Society to the local community for all their help and support over the years.

The band arrived and were met by Iain Ferguson and Willie McCallum (Snr) and taken straight for lunch in the Argyle Hotel. Pictured right is a miniature bottle of Springbank whisky which each member of our band received. Some kept theirs for posterity, however some had to open and try theirs, stating they were a bit nervous about the concert....wink! The bottle was specially labelled to commemorate the bands visit and tasted lovely. The band were then split, one half heading up to the Grammar School to do a Workshop with some of the pipers and drummers from the schools bands and the other half setting up the Victoria Hall where the concert was to be held later that evening.

Members of the band doing the workshop were most impressed by the kids who were very enthusiastic, keen to learn and very well behaved. A credit to their teachers Ian McKerral, John Brown, Tommy Blue and Campbell Anderson in Campbeltown and mainly to themselves. It was great to meet them and spend a bit of time with them.

The band also participated in a short Street Parade before the concert started.  Playing down Campbeltown Main Street, then playing a selection before joining the Kintyre Schools Bands who had played to the packed street for half an hour, then both bands marched away playing together to the Victoria Hall for the concert.

The Concert was opened with a 20 minute spot from the Kintyre Schools and before they finished and stepped of the stage, Officer in Charge of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band,  Inspector Niall West, made a short presentation giving them all a specially designed Strathclyde Police Pipe Band T-Shirt again commemorating our visit.

On then came our band to a hugely appreciative audience, giving them a varied and entertaining concert which featured solo spots from young David Smith in the first half and the slightly older Neil Smith in the second. Eric Ward playing a solo MSR and his two drum corp fanfares which went down extremely well. Megan Harrington also played the flute whilst Niall West narrated 'A Man's A Man', in the ever growing popular concert Burns set.

Other sets were given backing from our guest musicians Ingrid Seatter on Keyboards and Ross Martin on Guitar. The concert run without a hitch and was made an even greater success by being compered by ex-Chief Superintendent Mr John Wilson. His sharp, witty, calm but confident approach made sure that the audience was well informed and kept amused.  

The band would like to thank everyone involved (far to many to mention individually) in getting us down to Campbeltown, who organised or helped us out.  We really enjoyed the trip and hope that the community of Kintyre did also. Thanks again! 

September Silverware!

The solo competitors within the band kept momentum going throughout the summer and the following are their results. Well done to all, some great results!

Firstly, well done to Gavin Walker for winning the Silver Medal at the Northern Meeting. It was held this year in Aviemore as the usual venue of Eden Court Theatre in Inverness is closed for major refurbishment. This is the first time it has been held outwith the city since it's conception in 1841. The Northern Meeting piping competitions are widely recognised as being the most important in the piping calendar attracting the best competitors from all over the world.

The Highland Games at Braemar saw Neil Smith receive 4th in the Piobaireachd competition, another great result! At these games where Her Majesty the Queen is in attendance, competitors for the Piobaireachd competition have to submit 8 tunes to the judges, one of which they will be asked to play. The norm at any other Highland Games would be to submit 3 tunes. Gavin, Neil and Pipe Major Donald Mackay all attended the Dunrobin Piping Championships in Golspie. All three took prizes there too. The season ended with Drum Major David Currie taking 2nd spot at Peebles Highland Games in the Adult Drum Majors competition. Results are as follows:

Gavin Walker	1st Silver Medal	Northern Meeting
	1st Jig	Pitlochry Games
	1st MSR	Dunrobin Championships
Neil Smith	4th Piobaireachd	Braemar Games
	2nd Dunvegan Medal	Skye Gathering
	4th 2/4 Marches
	4th 6/8 Marches
	3rd Piobaireachd	Dunrobin Championships
	3rd Hornpipe & Jig
Pipe Major Donald Mackay	1st Piopbaireachd	Dunrobin Championships
	4th Hornpipe & Jig
Drum Major David Currie	2nd Adult Drum Majors	Peebles Highland Games

Work Experience - Sean Cumine

A couple of months ago we had the pleasure of hosting a schoolboy for his 4th Year work experience. This a first for the band, the lucky lad's name is Sean Cumine. He is 15 years of age and attends Linwood High School, Renfrewshire. He has been with the 1st Houston Boys Brigade Pipe Band for the last 4years taking part in many successful competitions. He has taken his Music Standard Grade a year early because of ability and interest. Sean has attended the College of Piping, Glasgow on several occasions and achieved Level 3 Certificate 2 yrs ago.

Sean spent 5 days with us and received a thorough insight as to how we work as a unit within the police and as a pipe band. He took the photos that appeared in the VJ commemorations parade update below. He also attended several band practices and was with us during the recording with Joann Gilmartin also featured below. He also received tours of the police office including the fingering printing and photograph rooms, prison cells and identification parade rooms. A great experience for someone so young I'm sure. Sean is pictured here with the pipe corp wearing the baseball cap out at the Police Club, Lochinch during one of the practices.

More Recording!

Billy McIsaac (pictured above left) a member of the chart topping 70's band 'Slic' had a chance meeting earlier in the year with our bass drummer Alan McGeachie. Billy was telling Alan that he had just released a charity CD to help raise funds for the Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool in Fort William. The CD was a compilation album made from tracks donated by top Scottish folk artists including Eddi Reader, Phil Cunningham and Ali Bain just to mention a few. The CD sold with so much success that he has been commissioned now to produce a DVD of similar material.

When we listened to the CD we came across a track called 'Song for Shona' and thought that this could work well with what we were doing this year. So we transposed it onto the pipes and got to work and as many of you will know we played it in our competition medley at the 'Worlds'. When Billy heard that we were using it he was keen to hear how it would sound played by a full pipe band. He was so pleased that he asked us to record it to be used in the opening credits of the new DVD. Billy has also composed other traditional sounding songs, tunes and ballads and we have put pipes to a song which he wrote about Lochaber which will also feature on the DVD.

To record the tracks we then met up with another pop legend, Mick MacNeil, (pictured top right) ex-Keyboard player with Simple Minds who lives near Billy. He was a great help and very knowledgeable, he recorded and produced the tracks for him. We are also hoping to work on some ideas from Mick in further concerts and would like to thank him for his time. The DVD with a running time of about 46 minutes is near completion and will premier in Fort William next March. The band would like to thank Billy for letting us use his music and to Mick for his patience whilst getting dates and times organised for recording the tunes. We will post full details of the DVD and its release and post audio clips of the tunes recorded here on our website as soon as we can. More information on Billy McIsaac can be viewed through his website  www.billymcisaacband.co.uk  and Mick MacNeil through his www.mixrecords.com.

Pipes, Drums and a Glasgow Girl

Thursday the 15th of September took the band into the recording studio for the first time in a few years.  Singer, Joann Gilmartin approached the band to record some traditional Scot's Melodies and Songs. The band perform on about 8 tracks and currently the CD is being finished back at her current home in Los Angeles. Full information on it's release will follow here shortly. 

Joann was born in Glasgow and formed an interest in music and the works of Scotland’s internationally renowned poet, Robert Burns, at a very early age. She entered, and won her first Burns Competition at the age of five and continued to compete in music festivals and competitions until 1994. During her competitive years, Joann was a consistent prize winner and was awarded trophies for excellence in singing, as well as for her interpretations of Burns’ works and other traditional Celtic music. In addition to her Burns work, she was also trained in the classical Italian style of singing. Joann has performed the major works of the classical repertoire with many of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors in Scotland and throughout Europe. She is currently living in Los Angeles and, in addition to performing and recording, is also involved in producing educational materials, speaking at seminars and workshops and competitions promoting the arts, traditions and culture of Scotland. More information about Joann can be found by visiting her Web site www.glasgowgirl.com.

Mint Performance For English Coppers!

On Friday 2 September, 2005 the band played at a passing out parade for the Metropolitan Police at their training college in Hendon, London. With 100 officers passing out and temperatures in the 30's, the band enjoyed playing and received a standing ovation from the hundreds of spectators as they marched off parade behind the newly qualified police officers, who had just completed the 18 week initial recruit residential course. Overhead and adding to the spectacle was a siren wailing police helicopter and marching alongside us were the Dog and Mounted Branch, making it a truly unique experience. 

The centre runs courses on many aspects of police work, from the initial training course, forensic and crime scene analysis, to radio operations and driving skills. The police officers who passed out can expect to return to the centre at various times during their career.

The Metropolitan Police service is famed around the world and has a unique place in the history of policing. It is by far the largest of the police services that operate in greater London (the others include the City of London Police and the British Transport Police). The Royal Parks Constabulary have now become part of the Metropolitan Police Service.

Founded by Sir Robert Peel in 1829, the original establishment of 1,000 officers policed a seven-mile radius from Charing Cross and a population of less than 2 million. Today, the Metropolitan Police Service employs 31,141 officers, 13,661 police staff, 414 traffic wardens and 2,106 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and since the realignment of police boundaries in April 2000, it covers an area of 620 square miles and a population of 7.2million.

The band would like to thank everyone again for their kind hospitality during their stay and look forward to entertaining them again in the future.

The band also took the opportunity during the visit to Hendon to make a presentation and say thanks to Peter Rowland for playing with the band during the season. Both Peter and Alasdair McLaren made a huge commitment to the band by travelling from Australia to compete with us. The band would like to thank them both for wanting to play with us and we hope that they enjoyed the season just as much as we did. The band wishes Alasdair and Peter a safe trip home.

Bass Section Goes Dunoon In History!

The band finished its season in 4th place at this year's Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon, retaining the same position as last year. The drummers were on top form by winning the Best Drum Corp and the stars of the day were ultimately the Bass Section for making history by winning the Best Bass section award, making it a first ever 'Grand Slam' for any Bass Section to win every championship award available to them in the same season, something that no other band has ever done before! An excellent achievement that the whole band is proud of.

Both Donald and Eric are delighted in the way that the band has performed throughout the season and are happy that it has sustained its position as one of the top in the world, making it now a serious contender and one to listen out for at all the competitions.  An excellent achievement for Donald in his first year as Pipe Major. They are both looking forward now to building and working for next year and would like to thank everyone involved for all their efforts. The band would also like to thank the new army of supporters that have cheered us on this year. Even if it is just you visiting the Web site from the other side of the world, as the daily hits are rising all the time. So thanks again and please keep logging on to find out what the band is up to.

Pictured are the pipe corps in the Dunoon Argyll Pipe Band hall going through their sets before getting the pipes out to compete and our Grand Slam winning bass section. Thanks again to everyone in the Dunoon band for their hospitality and for allowing us the use of the facilities over the years.

Argyllshire Gathering

2005 saw the 135th Argyllshire Gathering, which includes the Oban Games and the world famous solo piping competitions. It is one of Scotland’s oldest highland gatherings having started in 1871.

The band were invited up to play as the guest band, after putting on a great show in Oban earlier in the year (click here to view). Pictured above are the band marching along the sea front in Oban starting their 'March to the Games'. Also pictured is the band in the centre arena playing a number of selections throughout the afternoon before closing the games and marching back down to Oban's Station square for a final set.

Four of the band's pipers were competing solo, this a great honour as you must have a proven track record in previous solo contests before being eligible to compete. The solo competitions are spread over the two days with the Piobaireachd competitions held on the Wednesday (24th Aug) and the lighter music of March, Strathspeys, Reels and Jigs being held on the Thursday at the games field.

Results are as follows :-

Piper Neil Smith 1st A Grade Strathspey & Reel

Piper Gavin Stewart 1st MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd

Pipe Major Donald Mackay 5th Silver Medal Piobaireachd

The band would like to thank all the organisers of the Gathering for their kind and generous hospitality!

Band Barges In On Canal Event!

Bobbies, battles, bands and boats were just some of the things on display on Sunday 22 August when Kirkintilloch Police Office throws open its doors for its annual family event. The Kirkintilloch Canal Festival was bigger and better than ever before with over 15,000 people turning up to take part in events, both in the police office at Southbank Drive and along the bank of the canal itself – making it one of the biggest police events in Strathclyde. This year the fun kicked off at noon when East Dunbartonshire Provost, Pat Steel assisted the 19th Regiment of the Royal Artillery, by firing the big gun at midday. 

The day’s events took place over five sites, with face painting, puppet shows, a circus workshop and a bouncy castle to keep the kids occupied. And with the Police Office opening its doors for the fifth year in a row, you could have a look around the cells and see where the identity parades take place. The Strathclyde Police dogs showed off their skills, along with other police units including the Mounted Branch, Marine Unit and Driver Training. A Sea King helicopter also flew in giving a rescue display. Across at Peel Park, you could see how people lived in Medieval times at the specially constructed encampment, look at the weapons they used and even watch a battle re-enactment.

The band added music to the whole event, playing in the main arena during the afternoon. A great event well attended.

Ya BUTEtay!

First prize for the band and excellent weather made this years Highland Games in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute one to remember. An absolutely glorious day which can be seen from the  pictures below. Sadly, we were the only Grade 1 band entered, however, we continue to support these smaller games to help keep their Grade 1 contests open and to use them to include some of the players that we have on our side lines, giving them some essential competition experience. Two bands from the Grade 2 contest played up to enhance the competition. Dumbarton and District finishing 2nd and the 52nd Lowland Regiment, 3rd. 

After one of the best riveting and inspiring speeches from a Chieftain, Major General Graeme C M Lamb CMG DSO OBE, General Officer Commanding 3rd (United Kingdom) Division of the British Army.  The band was all fired up and lead the parade of the games field, down through the streets of Rothesay finishing at the ferry terminal.  This always a delight and especially for local man drummer Allan MacDonald, as we don't often get to play in these parts of the force area.  The streets were packed on both sides and it looked as if the whole of Rothesay was out enjoying the day giving it a great atmosphere.

60th Anniversary VJ Day Parade 

2000 musicians, children, service and ex-servicemen marched through Glasgow city centre yesterday, Sunday 14th August to commemorate VJ Day - the surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War. A particularly poignant anniversary because human frailty makes it seem unlikely there will ever again be commemorative celebrations of the war on anything like this scale.

Pictured below is the band in No.1 Dress and a contingent of officers representing the force on this parade.

Taking the salute outside Glasgow's City Chambers was the First Minister Jack McConnell, he stood with the cities Lord Provost Liz Cameron and together they watched the thousands of participants march past into position onto George Square. A service of remembrance then took place followed by music from the massed pipes and drums made up mainly from Royal British Legion bands from all over Scotland. A fly-past of 4 RAF Tornados was a fitting tribute to end this well represented parade.

Solid Performances Reap Rewards At The Worlds

Strathclyde Police Pipe Band secured 4th place at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow on Saturday 13 August, 2005. Two robust performances by all sections of the band ensured the band's status as one of the top in the world. In the March, Strathspey & Reel event, the drum corps took first place for the second year in succession and also runners-up in second place overall. The big success story of the day was our bass section taking the world title for the first time since 1985. Many congratulations go to both Alans, Craig, Lynne, Neil and Niall on converting their hard work into silverware and to Eric's drum corps on another first place at the world championships.

Well Dundonald

Saturday 6 August saw the band competing and winning the Grade 1 competition, Marching and Discipline and Best Dressed Band at this years Dundonald Games in Ayrshire. The competition held in the grounds of the very old and historic castle which was a fortified tower house built for Robert II on his accession to the throne of Scotland in 1371. It was also used as a royal residence by the early Stewart kings for the next 150 years and was said to be Robert II's favourite residence until he died in 1390.

Despite being the only Grade One band there we treated it as we would any other competition, giving an airing to one of the March, Strathspey and Reel sets the week before the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow. We played Balmoral Highlanders, Tulloch Castle and The Brown Haired Maid.

It was also good to take the band into a small town within the force area where people don't often get to see or hear us play. We got a great reception from the locals and visitors alike after all the competitions finished when the band marched up Dundonald main street playing to the crowds that line each side of the street, a great finish to a successful day.

But our playing was not finished there! On our way home from Dundonald we were invited in past the factory of McCallum Bagpipes in Kilmarnock for some food and drinks along with many of the local and overseas bands that competed that day. An open day for the factory saw some 400 hundred people enjoying the hospitality of Stuart and Kenny and all the staff from McCallums. A big thank you from the band to everyone involved at McCallums. Pictured right is the band playing for their supper and entertaining the guests.

Solo Piping Results - July 

The following pipers from the band were competing 'round the games' this month and below are the results. A very well done to them all and its good to see pipers from the band in the prize lists, proving again the standard of piper that we have amongst our ranks.