By JEANNIE CAMPBELL MBE • PART 12 • DECEMBER
1st December
Pipe Major Henry Forsyth was pictured in the Daily Record, with the information that he would be playing at the Royal Scottish Corporation Dinner.
•Henry Christie Forsyth was born in Edinburgh in 1871 and joined the Scots Guards in 1887. He was Pipe Major from 1895 and served in the South African War 1899-1902. He was Piper to the Prince of Wales from 1904 and continued as his Piper when he became Edward VII. After the King’s death in 1910 he continued as piper to George V, Edward VIII and George VI until 1941. He retired then and lived at Frinton-on-Sea in Essex until his death in 1946 aged 74.
The Civil and Military Gazette had an article on the 11th Sudanese regiment, which it stated ‘claims with some pride a firm alliance with certain Scottish units, wears a red hackle and has a pipe band’.
2nd December
The members of St Patrick’s Young Men’s Society, Birstall, organised a grand concert in aid of the church’s organ fund. The Leeds Operatic Society gave their services and the Boys’ Pipe Band, under the charge of Brother James of the Brothers Christian School, Manchester gave Irish selections and Irish dances.
Under the auspices of the Gorebridge, Arniston and District Pipe Band, dancing was held in Newbyres Hall. There was a good turnout and music was supplied by Moffat and Slater’s band from Newtongrange.
The Daily Mirror had this article: “Duchess Piper. The Duchess of Atholl not only is an accomplished pianist, but – like Lady Elspeth Campbell – plays on the bagpipe. She is even a composer of bagpipe music. If the Duchess, in the intervals of her new duties, gives a performance on the bagpipe, she will have a competent critic in her chief on the Board of Education, Lord Eustace Percy. There is a Northumberland, as well as a Scotch bagpipe, and of recent generations the Dukes of Northumberland have had a pipe band at Alnwick.”
•Lord Eustace Percy was the youngest son of Henry Percy, 7th Duke of Northumberland and Lady Edith Campbell, daughter of George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll.
•The Duchess of Atholl was Katharine Marjory Ramsay was born in Edinburgh on 6th November 1874, the daughter of Sir James Henry Ramsay of Bamff, an estate at Alyth in Perthshire which had been in the possession of the Ramsay family since 1232. Bamff in Perthshire should not be confused with Banff in Aberdeenshire. Katherine was educated at Wimbledon High School and the Royal College of Music. On 20th July 1899, she married John Stewart-Murray, Marquess of Tullibardine, who succeeded his father as 8th Duke of Atholl in 1917. The competition march The Marchioness of Tullibardine was published forty years before this so must refer to an earlier Marchioness of Tullibardine.
Katherine was an active opponent of female suffrage, and was described as a key speaker at the most important Scottish anti-suffrage demonstration which took place in 1912. In 1913 she became vice-president of the branch of the Anti-Suffrage League based in Dundee. Despite her opposition to women gaining the right to vote in parliamentary elections, she went on to be the Scottish Unionist Member of Parliament for Kinross and West Perthshire from 1923 to 1938, a seat which some years before had been held by her husband prior to his succeeding to the Dukedom. She was the first woman elected to represent a Scottish seat at Westminster. She served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education from 1924 to 1929, the first woman to serve in a British Conservative government. She was also a keen composer, setting music to accompany the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson. She was closely involved in her husband’s regiment The Scottish Horse and composed two 6/8 pipe marches, The Scottish Horse and Brothers Three, both published in David Glen’s Edinburgh Collection Book 6 in 1904. The composer is given as the Marchioness of Tullibardine, which was her title until 1917. She died in 1960 aged 85. Brothers Three also appears in the Scots Guards Collection.
•The Duchess’s brother, Sir Douglas Ramsay of Bamff 1878-1959 was also a piper. He had served during World War I in Gallipoli as a Major in the Scottish Horse. He was appointed Commissioner to the Balmoral estates in 1919 but resigned when he succeeded as the 11th Baronet in 1925. In 1920 he was appointed commander of the Aberdeen Squadron, Scottish Horse. During the Second World War he raised and commanded the 31st Perth Regiment Light Ant-Aircraft RA. He was an amateur piper, one of the original members of the Piobaireachd Society in 1903 and a member of the Scottish Pipers’ Society in Edinburgh. He acted as a Piobaireachd Society examiner for the Army School of Piping students and judged at the Argyllshire Gathering, the Northern Meeting, the London Competitions and other smaller events.
•The Duchess of Atholl’s sister in law, the Duke’s sister, Lady Dorothea Stewart-Murray, (1866-1937) is better known in piping circles due to the 6/8 pipe march Lady Dorothea Stewart-Murray’s Wedding March, commemorating her wedding in 1895 to Harold Goodeve Ruggles-Brise, which was composed by Aeneas Rose, Pipe Major of the Atholl Highlanders. She was an expert on and a collector of Scottish traditional music. After the death of John Glen, she acquired his extensive music collection. This collection is now permanently housed in the National Library of Scotland. Her personal collection, which comprised some 600 volumes, included the William Dixon manuscript, the earliest source of bagpipe music from the British Isles, and the most extensive source of Border pipe music from the 18th century. This collection is now known as the Atholl Collection and is housed in the A.K. Bell Library in Perth.
•The other lady mentioned in the article was Elspeth Campbell, 1873-1942, the granddaughter of the 8th Duke of Argyll and sister of the 10th Duke. She is remembered in the march Lady Elspeth Campbell, composed by Thomas Douglas. Elspeth was a capable piper and a founder member of the Piobaireachd Society. She took an active part in the work of the Society and was the Secretary for a time. In addition to the bagpipe Elspeth played the spinet, piano and harp. Elspeth did not compete but she did judge piping at the Highland Gathering of the London Highland Athletic Club, the Strathendrick Games and Inveraray Highland Games.
3rd December
The Edinburgh Gaelic Choir held their annual Highland and Scottish Concert in the Usher Hall. Among those taking part were Pipe Majors William and James Taylor.
•William Taylor was born in 1877 in Caithness. In 1894 he joined the Seaforth Highlanders and served in Crete then in Soudan 1897-8 and as PM in India 1900-09. From 1909 to 1914 he was PM 3rd Bt at Fort George. He won the Gold Medal and the Strathspey and Reel at the Argyllshire Gathering in 1920. At the Northern Meeting he won the March in 1912 and the Strathspey and Reel in 1921. From 1914 to 1919 he was with the 7th Service Bt. He was awarded the M S Medal and Croix de Guerre 1918. From May 1919 he was PM and instructor Queen Victoria School Dunblane until he retired in 1927. He died in 1968 at Ardersier. His brother James Taylor was born in 1878. In 1895 he joined the Seaforth Highlanders and served in Crete 1897 and Soudan 1898. In 1903 he became PM HLI and went to India. He was invalided home 1909 and was PM 3rd HLI at Hamilton until he retired in 1919. He won the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering in 1913 the Strathspey and Reel in 1911 and the confined March in 1912. At the Northern Meeting he won the March in 1911. He died 1941 in Edinburgh. Their father Henderson Taylor (1856-1925) served with the Ross-shire Militia, then later 3rd Seaforths for 7 years, then the Sutherland and Caithness Rifle Volunteers. He was piper to Sir John Sinclair of Barrock and later farmed his father’s croft at Buldoo, Reay.
Information was printed on the North of Ireland Bands Association Championship Contest, to be held at the Ulster Hall on the 18th and 19th December. Set pieces were announced for Senior Flute, Intermediate Flute and Junior Flute Bands, Brass bands, Brass and Reed bands and Pipe Bands. The set pieces for the pipe bands were all to be played from the Gray and Seton Collection: March, My Native Highland Home (Page 26); Strathspey, Sandy King’s Breeks (page 58); Reel, Lord James Murray (page 67) Drum beatings (pages 25, 53 and 62).
Pipe Major William Gray in collaboration with Drum Major John Seton DCM BEM of the Police band, another ex-Argyll, had produced a Tutor and Collection of Music and a second Collection both dated 1922. The Tutor gives complete instructions for learning to play the bagpipe and the drum, with exercises, tunes, drum scores and maintenance instructions for drummers. The piping tutor is easy to follow in comparison to previous tutors, and it includes a lot of good advice. The Collection contains more light music with drum settings and five piobaireachds which is says are ‘taken from old manuscripts in possession of the authors.’ Several of the drum settings are by John Seton, others are by well-known drummers of the time or are stated to be ‘as played by the Glasgow Police’ or other named bands. Although the cover of the book has ‘Book 1’ in the top left corner, no ‘Book 2’ was ever published.
During William Gray’s time as Pipe Major of the Glasgow Police the leading drummer was John (Jack) Seton. He was followed by his son Robert Seton. Another son, John junior was also a drummer in the band. John Seton senior had been a policeman and a member of the Govan pipe band before the war and served with the Argylls during the war. After retirement from the police he moved to Dunoon and continued his army connection as Drum Major of the 8th Argylls TA Battalion based there. For many years he was the gathering drum major at the Cowal Gathering. In the 1950s he emigrated to New Zealand to join members of his family and died there in 1974.
4th December
Papers reported that the Prince of Wales had been in Galashiels for the laying of a commemorative corner stone on the War Memorial, at present in course of erection at the new Municipal Buildings. The Ex-Service Pipe Band and the Town Band played.
The latest update on the fund raising for the Stonehaven Pipe Band gave the total figure of £81 8s 8d raised so far.
5th December
There was a Scottish Night on the radio from 7.30pm onwards. Among those taking part were the MacKenzie Pipers under the leadership of Pipe Major James MacKenzie. At 7.30 they played a march, strathspey and reel, Blue Bonnets Over the Border, Stirling Castle, Reel of Tulloch. They played again 8.10 to 8.20, 8.40 to 8.50, 8.55 to 9.05, 9.15 to 9.30 and 10.00 to 10.10 but their tunes were not given. In between their performances there were various songs and readings. The final set from the pipers was at 10.20 when they played two more march, strathspey and reel sets, Drunken Piper, Maggie Cameron, Highway to Linton; South Hall, Miss Drummond of Perth, The Wind that Shakes the Barley.
•Pipe Major James MacKenzie had founded the MacKenzie Pipe Band in Dundee in 1918, when he returned from war service. The membership at first was mainly ex-servicemen and the band wore MacKenzie tartan. PM MacKenzie remained in charge until 1925 when Henry Rattray took over as pipe major.
The Glasgow Skye Association held its 53rd Annual Gathering at St Andrew’s Hall in Glasgow. Pipe Major William Fergusson and Party rendered selections of the bagpipes.
An update on the North of Ireland Bands’ Association contest was given. There was an entry of 51 bands. The order of play was, Thursday: Pipe Bands, 2nd Grade Flute Bands, Junior Brass Bands, Intermediate Flute Bands, Senior Brass Bands. Friday: 1st Grade Flute Bands, Brass and Reed Bands, Senior Flute Bands. The pipe bands were Willowfield, Earl of Beaconsfield, Duke of York, East Belfast, Lebanon Street, Sir H Wilson, Castlereagh and Kitchener. The judge for the pipe bands would be PM Robert Reid, Glasgow.
The gathering of Clan Gregor took place in the Grand Hotel, Glasgow with the Chief Captain Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor Bt. CB, CMG, RN, presiding. The function took the form of a reception and dance. The Chief’s engagement to Gylla, daughter of the Hon Eric and Mrs Rollo had been announced recently. A pipe march in honour of Sir Malcolm, entitled Failte Cheann Chinnidh (The Chief’s Welcome), had been composed by the Society’s piper, Mr John MacGregor Murray, and was played by him at the Gathering.
•The composer, John MacGregor Murray, was born at Portmahomack, Tain, Ross-shire, in 1880 and had piping tuition from Donald McLeod, Tain. In Glasgow he was a member of the Scottish Pipers’ Association. He was the Clan Piper to Clan Gregor, the official piping steward at the Cowal Gathering from 1919 onwards and was involved with many other piping and Highland associations. In 1938 he composed the March The Young MacGregor for the chief’s 12 year old son. John MacGregor Murray died in 1939.
6th December
The Leicester Chronicle had a photograph of a Naval pipe band which had played at a football match.
The Lochgelly War Memorial was unveiled in presence of a large attendance. The Ex-Servicemen paraded under the command Lt Col Duff of the Black Watch. They were led by the pipe band and took up position on the pavement in front of the Memorial for the service which followed.
A fancy dress ball in aid of the Lasswade Pipe Band was held in the Public Hall, Lasswade, with an attendance of about 100 ladies and gentlemen.
The Scottish Clans Association of London held a concert and lecture at the Caxton Hall, Westminster. The Clan Pipers under the leadership of Pipe Major W G Meldrum opened the concert.
The Prince of Wales as President of the Scottish National Fat Stock Club, was chairman at the Club’s semi-jubilee dinner, held in the Feemason’s Hall, George Street, Edinburgh. The Haggis was played in by Pipe Major William Ross, formerly of the Scots Guards.
The 2nd Battalion Black Watch turned out at nearly full strength in officers and men at Bordon Camp to bid good bye to their padre the Rev W R Paterson, who left the district on his retirement. Thery marched to the station, headed by their brass and pipe bands, and formed up on the platform. When Mr Paterson’s train left, the whole kilted battalion gave three cheers, while the brass band struck up Auld Lang Syne. Mr Paterson was greatly affected by the spontaneous tribute paid to him. Such a send-off had never before been witnessed at Bordon Station, where the departure of troops was a frequent occurrence.
The Birmingham Scottish Society held their annual concert which included bagpipe selections by PM David Taylor and dancing by a quartet of girls and boys from the Royal Caledonian Schools.
8th December
The Coventry and District Caledonian Society held a Scottish concert in the Empire Theatre. The programme again include PM David Taylor and the boys and girls from the Caledonian Schools.
The Dundee Courier and Perthshire Advertiser both reported on the death of a Black Watch veteran: “There was a representative attendance of mourners at the funeral of Mr William MacGregor, late of the Black Watch, which took place from Aberfeldy Cottage Hospital mortuary to Aberfeldy Cemetery yesterday. Mr MacGregor was widely known in Aberfeldy district, and his sudden death last Friday aroused feelings of regret. Mr MacGregor was going about as usual on Thursday, and on Friday night he was found dead at the back of the door leading to the room in the Station Hotel back premises, which he occupied as a bedroom. The deceased had been for a long time in the employment of Mr Robert Menzies, Station Hotel, as an orra man about the hotel. A short service at the hospital and at the graveside was conducted by Rev D Stewart, Free Church. The cortege was preceded by a number of ex-servicemen, and Pipe Major Glen, of Aberfeldy Pipe Band, playing The Flowers of the Forest and Land of the Leal. When the remains had been lowered into the grave Pipe Major Glen played Lochaber No More. The wreaths included a lovely floral tribute from Aberfeldy Station staff. Deceased who was 66 years of age, served in the Nile Expedition of the 80s. He held the Egyptian Medal and Khedive’s Star and five silver bars for Tel El Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-teb and Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85 and Kirbekan.”
•The Pipe Major of the Aberfeldy band was David Glen born 1887, the son of George Glen born 1863, who was the youngest son of the Edinburgh pipe maker Alexander Glen and brother of David Glen who inherited their father’s business. In 1891 George and his wife and their two young sons were living in Glasgow where George was employed as a bagpipe maker. By 1901 the family had moved to Kenmore Street in Aberfeldy and George’s occupation was bagpipe reed maker. The MacDougall bagpipe makers also lived in Kenmore Street. David Glen served with the Black Watch during the First World War and afterwards returned to live in Aberfeldy. He succeeded Neil MacGregor as Pipe Major of the Aberfeldy Pipe Band in 1924. David died in 1936.
10th December
A concert was held in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on behalf of the Edinburgh Police aided scheme for clothing destitute children. The Edinburgh Police Pipe Band under PM Alexander Hendry was among those taking part.
11th December
The 23rd annual concert of the Ilford Scottish Association was held in the Town Hall. The concert was opened by the 4th Ilford Pipe Band under the direction of Mr William Marshall ASM. Later in the programme the foursome and eightsome reels were danced by members of the Ilford Scottish Association Reel and Social Club, piper William Marshall providing the music.
12th December
A Grand Fancy Fair was advertised for 2pm on New Year’s Day in the Town Hall in Stonehaven, with the Stonehaven Brass Band and Stonehaven Pipe Band playing on the Square, followed by a Grand Dance at 8pm.
The 54th annual reunion of the natives of Arran was held in the Berkeley Hall in Glasgow. The concert included the Clan MacRae Society Pipers led by Pipe Major William Fergusson.
The Paisley Highlanders Association Highland Gathering was held in the Town Hall. The concert included selections from the Association pipers Messrs Russell, Graham, Grant, Graham and Macpherson.
13th December
At the Rangers-Selkirk match at Union Park, Berwick Pipe Band under ex-Pipe Major Macmillan DCM gave selections in public for the first time since its formation. The band acqiutted itself favourably and was much appreciated by the spectators. Perhaps the proudest piper in the band was Jimmie Chisholm who had been playing since his boyhood over half a century before and was still going strong.
Bo’Ness Bazaar included the Bo’Ness and Carriden Brass Band, Kinneil Reed Band and two pipe bands, which paraded at stated intervals and played selections in the bandstand in the Glebe Public Park.
There was also a Bazaar in East Wemyss and during the afternoon the local pipe band paraded the streets.
In Montrose as part of Carnival Week the Montrose Pipe Band played in the evening and there was a firework display
14th December
The annual service under the auspices of the Apprentice Boys of Derry was held in Belfast Cathedral. The parade included the St Aidan’s Pipe Band and the North Belfast Brass Band.
A Boys’ Brigade enrollment service was held at Gilmerton Parish Church. After the service the 1st Gilmerton Company marched off to music kindly provided by the pipe band of the 41st Edinburgh Company.
The 1st Company Boys’ Brigade, headed by their pipe band, attended morning service at the congregational church.
16th December
To mark the homecoming of the Earl and Countess of Galloway to Newton Stewart, the Town Council and representatives of the tenantry and employees on the Cumlodden estate, with a pipe band, gathered and met the Earl’s motor car, which was towed by ropes to the Town Hall. In the evening a bonfire was lit, and there was a display of fireworks.
The Silver Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Atholl was celebrated with a number of events. The first of these at Blair Castle was for the tenantry and included music from the Atholl pipers under PM Alex Stewart.
18th December
A concert in Perth by a young Gaelic vocalist Neil McLean MA BSc included bagpipe selections by PM McPhee, who played Clan McLean airs.
It was reported that Mr Robert MacNab Halliday, Fushiebridge, the pipe major of the Borthwick and District Pipe Band had been appointed band secretary and treasurer. From the proceeds of recent dances and prize draws the cost of the uniforms had almost been cleared, only a balance of £50 remaining to be disposed of.
An evening of entertainment at Bannockburn, oganised by the Stirling District Battalion Boys’ Brigade included selections from the 1st Stirling Company Pipe Band and the 1st Logie Company Pipe Band.
19th December
The Glasgow Inverness-shire Association 53rd Annual Gathering was held in the City Hall, Glasgow. The artistes included Pipe Major William Gray and Glasgow Police Pipers.
An update on the fund raising for Stonehaven Pipe Band added £20.2s 0d from the Shepherds’ Choir Concert, bringing the total raised to £101 10s 8d.
The Linlithgowshire Gazette reported that in Bo’Ness, Pipe Major McCombie had been presented with a wallet of treasury notes by members and friends of the Federation Pipe Band on the occasion of his leaving for New Zealand. The presentation was made by Captain Milne. The new Pipe Major was Mr William Hope.
An advertisement in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle announced that the Northumberland Highland Pipe Band would be holding a novelty carnival and dance at Heaton Assembly Rooms on Monday December 22nd, 7pm to midnight. Music by J Blacklidge’s Premier Jazz Orchestra. Admission 1/6d.
The first results of the thirteenth championship held by the North of Ireland Bands’ Association on the previous evening at the Ulster Hall were published. There had been events for Flute, Brass and Pipe Bands. The contests had begun at 7.30pm and went on until after midnight. Eight pipe bands had played and the result was 1. Kitchener Memorial, conductor Mr W J Farr; 2. East Belfast, conductor Mr Chas Coulter; 3. Lebanon Street, conductor Mr Wm Hope. The bands had played the test piece march, strathspey and reel indicated previously and the adjudicator was PM Robert Reid. There would be more events on the following evening.
Bothwell Park and District Pipe Band announced the winning numbers in their Free Gift Scheme. The gifts could be had from Mr James Sim, Bothwell Park.
The Silver Wedding festivities of the Duke and Duchess of Atholl conclude with a ball for 500 guests at Blair Castle. Proceedings opened with the Pipe Band of the Atholl Highlanders under Pipe Major Alex Stewart, which marched round the ballroom playing The Atholl Highlanders’ March and other stirring airs.
In Lochgoilhead a concert in aid of the funds of the local pipe band took place.
20th December
In Cupar the new bandstand bequeathed to the town by the late Miss Anne Louisa Black was handed on over to the trustees of the town council in a ceremony which included a musical programme from the Town Band and the Pipe Band.
The Carnoustie Boy Scouts Pipe Band, with the permission of the Town Council, paraded the streets and took a collection on behalf of their equipment fund. The band had made splendid progress under the tuition of Pipe Major W S Tait, and the boys were deserving of every encouragement. The Burgh band also turned out to help make the parade an attractive feature.
The Pipe Major mentioned in the article was Pipe Major William Sinclair Tait. He was from Carnoustie and was Pipe Major of the 2nd/4th Battalion Royal Highlanders, The Black Watch from 1914 till 1917. He had formed the Scouts Pipe Band in 1923 and ran it until 1935. He played cricket for Carnoustie and appears to have been a pre War TA piper as he was in A Company 4th Bt in early 1914.
A letter to the Oban Times from Gallourn in Victoria, Australia said that the Australian Ladies Pipe Band under Drum Major Darwin and Pipe Major Jessie Young had given a first class concert in Gallourn in October. The band would be leaving on a World tour in 1925. The band would be visiting Scotland during its world tour.
The Perthshire Advertiser reported that at the monthly meeting of the Butterstone WRI a lecture was given by Pipe Major Shaw, Cardney, on the History of Old Pipe Tunes. This was much enjoyed.
The Campbeltown Courier announced that George Westland, Scottish character comedian and party, would be visiting Campbeltown on January 9th for a concert in the Victoria Hall. The programme would be supplemented by the Campbeltown Pipe Band and juvenile dancers.
At ther match between Broxburn United and Dundee United the Uphall Pipe Band played before the start of the game and during the interval.
The London Highland Club held a successful gathering at the Hampstead residence of Viscount Leverhulme, with about 250 members and friend present. Pipe music for the Highland dances was supplied by D Pullar, W Munro and L Beaton, hon. pipers to the Club. Woodgate’s orchestra played for the other dances.
21st December
The installation service for members of the 6th Dundee Company Boys’ Brigade was held at Lochee East U F Church. The company paraded at their headquarters in Sinclair Street and marched to the Church headed by their pipe band.
23rd December
The Londonderry Sentinel reported that a Christmas treat for the children of members of the South East B Special Constabulary had been held on Saturday afternoon in Whitehall. Father Christmas, laden with toys had entered the hall, preceded by four members of the Abercorn Pipe Band.
24th December
A dance was held in the Public Hall, Lauder. During the interval, while the orchestra were having supper, Pipe Major Clark gave a selection on the bagpipes.
25th December
In Belfast on Christmas Day there was a match between Ballyclare Comrades and Ormiston, kick off at 2.15pm in Windsor Park. From 1pm selections were played by East Belfast Pipe Band.
In Inveraray in the evening of Christmas Day old and young gathered at the Castle Jubilee Hall where they were met by the Duke of Argyll and his sister Lady Elspeth Campbell. His Grace and his sister made this Christmas treat for old and young a special gathering for meeting with the people and exchanging the greetings of the season. All enjoyed the evening of His Grace’s hospitality. A beautifully decorated Christmas tree was lit up and the youngsters were delighted with the effect of the colours and the bright lights. The Castle Pipe Band under Pipe Major George Mackenzie took up a position in the gallery and discoursed spirited selections of bagpipe music. All were entertained to tea and cake. Before leaving, the schoolchildren of the town and country districts were each called up and presented by Lady Elspeth with a suitable Christmas gift. At the close the Rev John Maclachlan proposed a vote of thanks to the Duke and Lady Elspeth for providing this Christmas entertainment.
26th December
Christmas Day had been celebrated at Rossie Farm School with the traditional dinner of roast beef and plum pudding. The following day the boys had their annual entertainment at which a large gathering of friends from the neighbourhood were present. Each boy was presented with an apple, an orange and a banana. A group of singers and an accompanist from Forfar provided entertainment. Two of the Rossie boys gave an exhibition of Highland step dancing for which they were heartily applauded, and the members of the Rossie Pipe Band in full Highland dress danced the eightsome reel and Reel of Tulloch to the great delight of the spectators. The boys also sang Christmas carols.
At the Bertha Home in Perth the inmates were provided with a substantial tea and gifts of fruit and sweets. In the evening a concert was given. The artistes included Pipe Major Galloway who rendered bagpipe music and humorous songs.
The Berwick Advertiser announced that a Grand Highland Concert in aid of the funds of Berwick and District Pipe Band would be held on 29th January.
27th December
Under the auspices of the newly formed pipe band a most enjoyable dance was held in the Public Hall, Grandtully. The organisation was in the hands of the pipe band committee, with Mr William Duff jnr Dallraoich, as secretary. Afterwards it was reported that the band members were making good progress with their training and were so elated over the success of their first function that they nearly blew the roof off the new hall at their next weekly practice. The band planned a route march for the next practice.
Irish papers reported that the Shaftesbury Pipe Band held its annual installation tea in the Ulsterville Lecture Hall. The office bearers installed included Pipe Major J Bell, Pipe Sergeant W Connery, Drum Major W Marshall and Drum Sergeant J Burnside.
The Dundee Courier reported that the Dundee branch of the Seaforth Highlanders Association had entertained the children and dependents of the association to their annual Christmas Treat in the Foresters’ Hall. An excellent programme of entertainment included Pipe Major MacKenzie and Pipe Corporal Thomson from the Seaforth headquarters, Fort George.
A successful concert was held in the Lewis Picture House under the auspices of the Lewis Pipe Band. The concert was in aid of the band’s equipment fund.
Under the auspices of the Rechabites’ Dance Committee a Fancy Dress Ball was held in Pitlochry Public Hall. Pipe selections for the Highland dances were given by Pipe Major Pirnie and Pipers Fraser and H Muggach.
29th December
Members of the Kikwall City Pipe Band presented Mr John A Forsyth with a drum major’s baton, suitably inscribed. Mr Forsyth had been drum major of the band since its inauguration.
Drum Major Hearn of the Lasswade Pipe Band was presented with a smoker’s outfit from the band members on the occasion of his marriage.
30th December
At Braco, Mr and Mrs J Bruce Ismay of Ardoch House gave a grand supper and dance for the estate workers and a few friends. Brigadier General Cheape assisted greatly in the enjoyment by playing the bagpipes to several dances, while music to the other dances was provided by local talent assisted by a piper friend. Refreshments were available throughout the evening and a sumptuous supper was served at midnight. The dancing continued to 3am.
•Brigadier Ronald Cheape was George Ronald Hamilton Cheape DSO and Bar, 2nd of Tiroran, born in 1881. He served with the Black Watch and the Dragoon Guards during the Boer War and the Great War. In 1912 he married Margaret Bruce Ismay, elder daughter of Joseph Bruce Ismay, the chairman and managing director of the White Star Line, owners of the Titanic. Ronald Cheape was awarded the Military Cross in 1915 for leading the successful counter attack to regain the Chateau of Hooge near Ypres from the Germans. He rose to be a Brigadier General commanding the 86th Infantry Brigade which was in the 29th Infantry Division, First Army British Expeditionary Force. He commanded during a series of successful attacks and ultimately the breakthrough of the Western Front in 1918. Ronald Cheape was an amateur piper and often judged at the Argyllshire Gathering. He died in 1957. The march Brigadier Ronald Cheape of Tiroran was composed for him by Pipe Major William Ross.
31st December
A Grand Juvenile Dancing Competition (from 6 to 16 years) under the auspices of Auchterderran Pipe Band was held in the Co-operative Hall at 4pm.
The new bridge over the river Gala was opened in very wintry weather in Galashiels, with sleet and snow falling heavily. Despite the conditions a crowd of over 1,000 assembled. The Provost having declared the bridge open, the Town’s Band and the Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band played over the bridge amid scenes of enthusiasm.
The Scottish Clans Association in London held a Hogmanay Ball at the Imperial Hotel, Russell Square. The eightsome reel and Highland Scottische were danced to pipe music supplied by the Association pipers led by Pipe Major Meldrum. The other dance music was under the direction of Mr H A J Batho.
The Oban Times reported the retirement at the end of December of Major Byng M Wright VD who had been agent for the Union Bank of Scotland at Inveraray for nearly 40 years. Major Wright was for long connected with the Volunteer and Territorial movements. He attended the Royal Review at Edinburgh with the London Scottish in 1881. After that he farmed in Canada for a time. He succeeded to the command of A Company (Inveraray) of the Argyllshire Volunteer Regiment on the retiral of Major John Buchanan. When the Territorial force was called into being in 1908 he threw himself into recruiting work with much vigour. He served in the Royal Defence Corps during the War and did much valuable work in recruiting for the 2/8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
John MacColl composed the 2/4 march Major Byng M Wright’s Farewell to the 8th Argylls for him.