By JEANNIE CAMPBELL MBE • PART 10 • OCTOBER
1st October
An advertisement in the Northern Ensign and Weekly Gazette showed a piper smoking a pipe to advertise tobacco.
The monthly ceremony of changing the guard of the 1st King’s Own Scottish Borderers took place during the morning at Edinburgh Castle. The relieving detachment marched from Redford Barracks headed by the pipe and brass bands of the regiments and their arrival at the Esplanade was witnessed by a crowd of about 2,000 spectators. After the salute had been given by the old guard the new guard took up duty. Following the ceremony selections were played by the bands on the Esplanade pending the departure again for the barracks.
A civic reception took place in Perth for the members of An Comunn Gaidhealach prior to the annual Gaelic Mod. To develop the social side of the Mod the Gaelic Society of Perth held a ceilidh in the City Hall. After speeches and refreshments there was a musical programme which included piping selections from PM James McPhee, PM R H Duff and piper J Hannah.
The Mod included only two competitions for instrumental music. The adjudicators were Mr Angus Campbell, Glasgow and Pipe Major Sutherland, Edinburgh. One event was for playing a Highland March, Strathspey and Reel on the piano and the other was for playing a Gaelic song air, Strathspey and Reel on the violin. The first prize in the piano event went to Miss Cecily Ross, Edinburgh.
•Cecily was the only surviving child of Pipe Major William Ross. A son William had been born in 1904 but died at the age of only seven. Cecily was born in December 1908. Both Willie’s children were born at the Tower of London and his grandchildren were born at Edinburgh Castle. Cecily was married in St Margaret’s chapel at the castle in 1935. While her husband was stationed abroad she lived at the Castle with her parents and both her daughters were born there.
•Pipe Major Sutherland was James Sutherland, born in 1866 at Rosskeen, Ross-shire and died in 1945. He served with the Seaforth Highlanders 1883 to 1904 when he retired. In 1912 became PM 5th Royal Scots. He was rejected for active service but was with the Royal Scots Volunteers. He was Instructor to the Scottish Pipers Society and Instructor Edinburgh Schools and Edinburgh OTC from 1908. At the Northern Meeting in 1896 he was first in the March and 3rd in the Strathspey and Reel. He composed The Pipers Cave and other tunes.
2nd October
The Motherwell branch of the Lanakshire Highlanders Association held their opening social and dance, with bagpipe selections from Pipe Major Chut.
3rd October
A very successful social and dance was held under the auspices of the Lanarkshire Highlanders’ Association, Motherwell branch, in the Masonic Hall. The proceedings opened with bagpipe renderings from Pipe Major John Clint.
In the evening the 2nd Wishaw BB held a recruiting march. There were between 70 and 80 boys on parade and as the marched through the town led by the pipe band of the 2nd Wishaw Coy they created a fine impression.
4th October
Kirkcaldy and District Caledonian Society’s Prize Pipe Band advertised that they had vacancies for two good pipers. Applications were to be made to the secretary, 92 Meldrum Road, on or before 11th October.
At the Paisley Highlanders’ opening concert there was pipe music from Pipe Major Graham and pipers Macpherson, Service and Lachlan Graham, all members of the Association.
The St Andrews Citizen reported: “The United Services Pipe Band. Sgt Piper W Low has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the Pipe Band Association for Fifeshire.”
Also in same paper was this: “The local Pipe Band has competed at three contests this year, obtaining 5th place at Glencraig out of twelve bands, 4th place at Methil out of twelve bands and 6th place at Inverkeithing out of 17 bands. At the Inverkeithing contest the Provost spoke highly of the St Andrews Band.”
Dalzell Pipe Band, which was composed of young men from Motherwell and Wishaw played selections at the East and West Crosses, to an appreciative audience. The band which were the holders of the Challenge Cup for Lanarkshire, required a few pipers to strengthen its ranks. Applications could be made to Pipe Major Alex Hastie at the practices in the Boys’ Brigade hall, Thistle St, Motherwell any Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock. A big proportion of the players were ex-members of the Boys’ Brigade.
It was reported that the Mod had ended with a concert in the City Hall. Several of the prize winners took part and there were bagpipe selections from PM MacPhee and PM R Duff and party.
The new premises of the Galashiels Ex-Service Club had been completed and the opening ceremony took place in the afternoon. The Ex-Service Pipe Band played selections outside the premises as the company assembled.
The Oban Times reported on the Highland Gathering at Winnipeg in Canada. Besides the usual piping, dancing and field events, there had been a pipe band contest for which four bands entered. The winning band was the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. The Society’s Challenge Cup for the Piping Championship of Western Canada went to William Sutherland, who also secured the Douglas McCowan Cup for piobaireachd. Other results were, March (open): William Sutherland, Ewen Maclennan, D A Will. Strathspey and Reel (open): Ewen Maclennan, William Sutherland, M Sutherland. March, under 18 years: Jack Macdonald. Strathspey and Reel, under 18 years: William Russell. The piping and dancing events were judged by Pipe Major William Johnson, 5th Royal Highlanders of Canada, Montreal.
The British Legion Conference at Girvan included a ceremony at which a wreath was laid at the War Memorial at Stair Park. The Girvan Pipe Band played a lament.
The Borthwick and District pipe band paid a visit to Gorebridge in the evening and discoursed a programme of music which was highly appreciated by a large audience. Pipe Major McNab Halliday was in charge.
5th October
The Church Parade of the Edinburgh City Police Force took place to Buccleuch Church. Wearing dress uniform and accompanied by their pipe band, the men to the number of 500, paraded in Parliament Square, in Divisions, under their sergeants and inspectors, and marched to Buccleuch Church by way of George IV Bridge. The parade was under the command of Chief Constable Roderick Ross CBE, MVO, OBE.
6th October
The officers, NCOs and men of D Company 5/7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders TA held a parade to Fetteresso Parish Church. Led by the Stonehaven Pipe Band the men marched from the Drill Hall to the Church.
8th October
Through the invitation of a number of local ex-servicemen a meeting had been held in the Lesser Hall, Grandtully to consider the formation of a pipe and drum band. After discussion it was agreed to form a Pipers’ Association with membership open to all supporters. Eight trained pipers and drummers and ten beginners were enrolled for the band, with Mr A Robertson, Tulliepowrie Farm, as pipe major and instructor. Arrangements were made for holding classes and practices in the Lesser Hall every Tuesday evening throughout the winter.
The Pipers’ Association in Aberfeldy announced that a most satisfactory start had been made with the piping classes. Fully forty boys had enrolled and there was every prospect of Aberfeldy boasting a Scouts Pipe Band in the near future, The practices were being held in the Armoury on Mondays and Thursdays and it was cheering to hear the strains of Highland music in all parts of their Highland burgh.
The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland entertained the feuars, tenants and employees of the Sutherland estates and friends at a garden party. A larger marquee had been erected for refreshments and music was supplied at intervals by the pipe band of the 4th/5th Seaforth Highlanders and the brass band of the 2nd Gordon Highlanders.
9th October
The Belfast Telegraph reported on the visit of St Aidan’s Cadets’ Pipe Band to the Church Congress at Oxford. During the visit the services of the band had been in constant demand and they had been received with great enthusiasm.
A concert in aid of the St Andrew’s Ambulance Association was held in the Argyllshire Gathering Hall, Oban with the Oban Pipe Band taking part.
An entertainment and demonstration of gymnastics, physical teraining etc was given in the evening at the Roseberry Hall by the 54th Edinburgh Boys’ Brigade company. Interspersed in the programme were selections by the 54th Coy’s brass band and the pipe band of the 4/5th Royal Scots under PM Robertson.
The Lanark branch of the Lanarkshire Highlanders Association held a concert in the YMCA Hall. Selections on the bagpipe were given by Pipe Major Rogerson.
10th October
The latest update of the fund raising to supply the Stonehaven Pipe Band with Highland Dress stated that the total raised was now £80 10s 4d.
A dancing and piping competition was advertised for 22nd October at the Foresters Hall, Dundee. Entries closed on 15th October.
The funeral of the Rev Dr Patrick Macdonald Playfair took place in St Andrews. The funeral procession was led by the United Services pipe band, which played The Flowers of the Forest and Bruce’s Address.
A sale of work to raise funds for the complete equipment of Dalziel Thistle Junior Pipe Band was advertised for Saturday 29th November in the Y M I.
A Grand Concert was held in the Victoria Orange Hall, Larne, with proceeds in aid of the Larne Amateur Pipe Band.
A very successful concert was held in Bannockburn Town Hall in the evening under the auspices of Millhall Pipe Band. The chairman welcomed the large turnout to support the band and referred to the band’s long list of successes, culminating in their becoming World Champions. He attributed the success of the band in no small measure to the clever tuition of Pipe Major George MacDonald and Drum Major G Adams. A high class programme was rendered by a number of artistes and selections by the Pipe Band were also an enjoyable feature. A dance followed.
•The Pipe Major of Millhall was George Donaldson MacDonald, born in 1885 in Dunoon. He lived in Stirling as a boy and served with the 7th Argylls during the South African war. He had tuition from John MacDougall Gillies. He served as Pipe Major of The Royal Scots during the 1914-18 War and afterwards became Pipe Major of the Millhall band with which he had won the World Championship three times, in 1924, 1926 and 1930. In 1930 he became Pipe Major of the 8th Argylls and began work on publishing a collection of tunes composed by members of the 8th. The book, published in 1933 contained sixty-three tunes. He was also the compiler of the Fifth Cowal Collection, which was published in 1958. He was Pipe Major of the Dunoon Ballochyle Pipe Band. He died at Dunoon in 1961.
11th October
West Calder and District Pipe Band visited Alderston House at the invitation of Mrs Pringle and also submitted a programme of music in Bellsquarry village.
Borthwick and District Pipe Band were in attendance at the football match at Newbyres Park and played selections before the play started and during the interval.
Grange Thistle Pipe Band held a Flag Day in aid of the band funds. This raised 18 guineas. They were now preparing for a bazaar and for the band contests early in the next year and they hoped both would be so successful that no more flag days would be needed.
The Fife Free Press reported on the funeral at Bowhill of two pit workers who had been electrocuted. The funeral procession was headed by the Lochgelly and Auchterderran Pipe Band. The same paper reported that the Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band played a programme of music at the Port Braes at 6.30pm
The Willowfield Pipe Band played selections at the march between Queen’s Island and Larne. The Earl of Beaconsfield Pipe Band was pictured in the Larne Times with the names of all the band members included.
The foundation stone of the Wishaw and District Ex-Servicemen’s Memorial Institute was laid by Sir Robert K Stewart, with Lord Belhaven presiding. The Guard of Honour was formed by the 6th Cameronians, local ex-servicemen and the British Legion. The bands accompanying them were Motherwell and Wishaw Burgh Band and Newmains Pipe Band.
The mess equipment and band instruments of the late Royal Meath regiments were offered at auction in Dregheda on 15th October. The sale included the instruments of the brass band and the Irish Pipes Band.
The Oakbank Pipe Band played at a garden fete in aid of the restoration fund of St Joseph’s RC Church, Woodside, Aberdeen.
The Newarthill Pipe Band ran a very successful social and dance in the Institute. Mt Thomas McCrum acted as MC and music was supplied by Hodges’ band.
12th October
The British Legion Western Branch held a Grand Concert in Haymarket Picture House on Sunday evening 12th October. The programme included the Abbeyhill Pipe Band, PM McGregor.
The Sunday Post reported that a cake and candy sale in aid of the funds of Vale of Leven and District pipe band realised £70.
17th October
Kirkintilloch Town Council voted £25 to Kirkintilloch Silver Band and £15 to Kirkintilloch Pipe Band for musical services in the past season.
A notice in the West Lothian Courier announced: “Proposed Pipe Band for Armadale. A public meeting will be held in the Town Hall, Armadale on Monday 20th October, for the purpose of forming an Armadale Pipe Band. All persons interested are cordially invited to attend, and a large turn-out of the public is hoped for.”
A dance was held in the Rosebery Hall, the object being to assist the funds of the Queensferry, Dalmeny and District Pipe Band. At intervals the pipe band played popular selections and M’s Colquhoun, Dalmeny, delighted the company with her exhibition of Highland dancing.
The annual dance in aid of the Kilrea Pipe Band was held in the Orange Hall.
18th October
A Sale of Work and Jumble Sale to help in clearing off the debt incurred in the equipment of the recently formed Lasswade Burgh Pipe Band was held at Lasswade. The sale raised £101.
20th October
A meeting of all those interested in setting up a pipe band in Amadale was held in the Town Hall. The West Lothian Courier reported that although the attendance was rather meagre those present were most enthusiastic and it was agreed that all present constitute themselves a committee and make the preliminary arrangements for starting a pipe band. So soon as preliminary details were arranged there would be a further meeting of the public called when a final decision would be made as to whether or not to proceed to form a pipe band for Armadale.
Highland Pipers and Athletes
This letter appeared in the Oban Times: “Sir, Perhaps never before have we had such keen competition among the pipers at the leading Highland Gatherings, including such notable events as the Games at Oban, Fort William, Inverness, Portree, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, Bridge of Allan, Braemar, Glenisla and the famous Cowal Gathering, which the energetic Secretary Mr H S Strafford has made so popular. The piping competitions at these gatherings attract the leading pipers of the country such as Pipe Major John MacDonald, Inverness; Pipe Major William Ross, Edinburgh; Pipe Major R Reid, Glasgow; Pipe Major Duff, Edinburgh; Piper Calder, Edinburgh; George Yardley, Cambuslang; G S McLennan, Aberdeen and his brother Pipe Major McLennan, Fort George.
“For the past thirty years Pipe Major Ross has been a most consistent and successful competitor. It will be seen from the prize lists that he is easily ahead of the others as regards the number of prizes won. Along with a friend I paid a visit to Ross in Edinburgh and we saw his large collection of stars, clasps and gold medals, and also the Cowal Shield which he won five times. During our visit Pipe Major Ross showed us a small silver badge which he said he prized more than all the other valuable trophies. This badge was the first prize he won and he secured it at a competition in his native village of Beauly before joining the Scots Guards. Pipe Major Ross is a very successful teacher of pipe music, and many of his pupils have won prizes. The Prince of Wales was one of his pupils.
“The older school of pipers who competed in the days of John McColl and Angus McRae will be glad to learn that John Wilson of Callander has fully recovered from his recent illness and is now teaching classes in Edinburgh. Wilson was among the pipers who attended the Paris Exhibition in 1887. At his best he was prominent in the prize list.
“With regards to athletes, Kenneth McRae was one of the finest all-round athletes in Scotland. Knox, the famous Canadian pole vaulter holds all the records for that event at Highland Games in Scotland, while D Gillespie, Islay, is a first rate putter but a second rate hammer thrower. I am etc. A M.”
•John Wilson, Callander was known as the Baldooser. He had served in South Africa with the Seaforth Highlanders and was shot in leg. Afterwards he had to play sitting down. He was an uncle of the better known John Wilson, winner of both gold medals who was born 1906 in Edinburgh and died 1979 in Canada.
22nd October
A Grand Piping and Dancing Competition was held in the Foresters’ Hall in Dundee. Advertising stated that the pick of the Local Pipers would compete. Eminent and Impartial Judges had been engaged. The judges were, for piping was Mr Thomas N Donaldson and for dancing Pipe Major Galloway. Perth. The prize winners for piping were 1. PM Rattray; 2. PM MacPhee; 3. A Thompson.
A General Election was to be held on 29th October. In Northern Ireland a torchlight procession in aid of the candidature of Unionist Sir Robert Lynn included the Shaftesbury Pipe Band. In North Tyrone the Loyalist candidate Mr J A Pringle were met by a large crowd and a pipe band and escorted to a meeting at the Orange Hall.
A concert arranged by the Edinburgh Police in aid of the widows’ and orphans’ fund was held in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh. The programme included selections by the Edinburgh Police Pipe Band, under Pipe Major Alexander Hendry.
24th October
The Lanarkshire Highlanders Camanachd Club held a Grand Highland Concert in the Masonic Hall, Motherwell. Among those taking part was PM Donald Mathieson, Hamilton.
A pleasant evening was spent by the members and friends of the Millhall Prize Pipe Band when a company of about gentlemen were present at a supper and presentation in Miller’s tea rooms.
A concert in aid of the funds of the Gorebridge, Arniston and District Pipe Band was held in Newbyres Hall. The programme was supplied by the Dalry Concert Company and included songs, duets, bagpipe selections, violin selections, Highland and International dancing exhibitions, dialogues etc. An Assemby followed, with music supplied by Moffat and Slater’s Jazz Band from Newtongrange.
A benefit concert on behalf of Mr James Easton who had lost his eyesight while at his work the previous year, was held in the Corn Exchange, Bathgate. Prior to the concert the Scottish Society of Bathgate Pipe Band paraded the streets.
25th October
The Scotsman had this small advertisement: “Ex-Pipe Major, 19 years’ service; single; anxious secure employment; general work. H 50 Scotsman.”
Philipstoun Pipe Band under PM John McCann discoursed fine music before the match between Broxburn United and Stenhousemuir.
A concert was held in aid of the funds of Errol Pipe Band. The programme included selections by the pipe band. A dance followed.
A sale of industries in connection with the Red Tub Tea Rooms, Campsie Glen took place on Friday and Saturday afternoons, with a large assortment of goods for sale. Miss Peg Gordon entertained with several songs and the Kirkintilloch and Lenzie Pipe Band were present and their playing was much appreciated.
A fancy dress parade organised on behalf of the old age pensioners Christmas treat was held in Burntisland. The local silver band and pipe band headed the procession. In the evening a fancy dress ball was held.
The Oban Times reported that the 38th Annual Gathering of the St Andrew’s and Caledonian Society of Vancouver had been held recently and proved very successful. The judges for piping were PM D Cameron, Victoria; PM Lachlan Collie, Winnipeg; Mr John Paul, Vancouver; and Judge Calder, Ashcroft. No results were given.
•Lachlan Collie was born in 1858 at Lochcarron and died in Canada in 1929. He had piping tuition from his mother’s brother Aeneas Rose. Lachlan emigrated to Canada in 1882 and settled in Manitoba where he became Pipe Major of the Queen’s Own Highlanders of Canada. Lachlan’s older sister Mary married Alexander Ross and was the mother of Pipe Major William Ross, Scots Guards. Lachlan enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1916, giving his age as 48 and was passed as fit for service. In 1919 he composed a march named Baron Byng of Vimy for the Canadian commander.
26th October
Airdrie, Coatbridge and District Battalion Boys’ Brigade held their church parade. The battalion marched from the War Memorial to the Church led by Clarkston Silver Band and the 1st Airdrie Company BB Pipe Band.
In St Andrews the local company of the Boys’ Brigade headed by their pipe band attended morning service in Hope Park U F Church. Seventy of all ranks paraded.
27th October
A concert entitled Irish and Proud of It was held at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. The programme include The Irish Pipe Band and The Famous Kilty Lasses.
28th October
Headed by a boys’ pipe band and by more police than supporters, about a dozen prominent Belfast Republicans toured the West Belfast constituency in support of the candidature of Mr Patrick Nash.
An eve of poll meeting in Lurgan include a torchlight procession with flute bands and a pipe band.
29th October
A social gathering of the Band and officials of Newmains and District Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band was held in the Miniature Range when Mr T Toyusen presided. The occasion marked the departure of Mr Don McLellan for America. The good wishes af the band members and officials were conveyed by Pipe Major Napier who in their name presented Mt McLellan with a shaving outfit and cigarette case. In doing so Mr Napier referred to the loss of the band in losing a good piper and wished him every success across the “pond”. In reply the recipient suitably acknowledged the gift and wished the band every success. During the evening tea was served and the company spent an enjoyable time carrying through a musical programme.
30th October
The Dalkeith Advertiser reported that the members of the Borthwick Pipe Band were practising nearly every week night. During the winter nights the practice was carried out at the house of the Pipe Major, Robert Halliday, Fushiebridge, who was confident of having a first class combination.
In Belfast the remains of Joseph McKelvey, an officer in the Irish Republican Army who was executed by the Free State Government, were interred in Milltown Cemetery, Belfast. The cortege was headed by an Irish Pipe Band.
In West Belfast Sir Robert Lynn was elected and the celebrations afterwards included the Kitchener Memorial Pipe Band and the Young Britons Fife and Drum band.
In Enniskillen the victory of Sir Charles Falls was celebrated when at 8pm the pipe band turned out and followed by a huge crowd proceeded to the Orange Hall where Sir Charles was placed in a specially constructed chair which was hoisted on the shoulders of willing volunteers and preceeded by the pipe band and followed by a huge procession, was borne right through the town and back to the hall.
On returning to London Mr Ramsay MacDonald received an enthusiastic welcome from a large crowd on arriving at Paddington station. The Pipers’ Band of Paddington No 2 Branch of the National Union of Railwaymen struck up a stirring Scottish selection.
PM Deans, who had advertised the Kiltie Lasses regularly, had another advertisement in The Stage. This time it ended with: “Pipe Majors, write to me and I will fit your pipes with an absorber. Deans, Shepherd’s Bush, London.” This must have been some kind of moisture control system or water trap.
31st October
There was an enthusiastic send off for Mr E D Morel the newly elected Socialist MP for Dundee. Preceeded by the Caledonian Pipe Band, the procession started from the office of the Dundee Flax and Jute Workers Union and went through the streets to the station with cheering crowds lining the streets.
The Unionist victory in Cookstown was celebrated by a torchlight parade headed by the Pipe Band of the B Specials and a bonfire on the Oldtown Hill.
In Caledon, County Tyrone thousands of people took part in a parade with bagpipe and flute band and including an effigy of De Valera which was afterwards burned.
The Clan MacRae Society held their annual At Home in the Trades House Hall. Lt Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap and Mrs MacRae-Gilstrap received the guests and the Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band rendered appropriate music and led the Grand March.
In Belfast the Justice and Truth Pipe Band held a Sale of Work and Cake Fair in Excise Street Schoolrooms on 31st October and 1st November, opening at 3pm each day.