Success continues for the band as it rises again up the prize list to secure third place at the European Pipe Band Championships on Saturday 24th June. 113 pipe bands made the journey up to the Moray town of Forres for what is without doubt one of the best run pipe band contests. The weather managed to stay dry, however strong gusts of wind and fluctuating temperatures made for challenging tuning and preparation.
It was the turn of the March, Strathspey & Reel discipline for Grade 1 and the band were delighted to have their No.1 set drawn for them to play.
March The 93rd Highlanders Farewell to Edinburgh
Strathspey Blair Drummond
Reel John Morrison of Assynt House
You can view our performance again by clicking on the link here. Thank you to Dronechrous for taking the time to record and post (for free) all the bands competing in Grade 1 on the day.
The band has always tried to be slightly different with its tune selection and searches hard to offer some variety for the spectators who listen to the whole grade. It’s always a pleasure when an older classic historic tune that been overlooked for many years is found and brought back into the competition repertoire. Our March, the 93rd Highlanders Farewell to Edinburgh, is certainly one. It’s receiving lots of attention and the band is receiving some great feedback and comments regarding it, making it even more of a pleasure to play.
Well done and congratulations of course must go to Inveraray & District who won on the day and taking their second major title of the year. The full Grade 1 prize list was as follows:
1st Inveraray & District Scotland
2nd Field Marshall Montgomery Northern Ireland
3rd ScottishPower Scotland
4th St Laurence O’Toole Ireland
5th Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Scotland
6th Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Scotland
Best Drum Corp: Inveraray & District
Pictured below is Pipe Major Chris Armstrong receiving the band’s trophy from the games Chieftain Major General Seymour Monro CBE
Tune History
On the 11th May 1873 the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders (Regiment of foot) were replaced as the Garrison at Edinburgh Castle by the 91st Argyllshire. The city held a great celebration and this tune was written for the day. The 2/4 March was originally composed with two parts by an M. MacKinnon and later had the 3rd and 4th parts added by Pipe Major Donald MacLeod.