In common with most pipe bands, the Blairgowrie Band has had a roller-coaster history. According to local anecdotal evidence, there was a town pipe band in the late 1880’s. However, nobody has been able to produce any written evidence of the band’s existence, the number of members, the uniform worn or repertoire of tunes played.

After World War One a band was formed which, on account of the brown tweed kilt jackets worn by the pipers and drummers, soon became known as “The Gameys”. This band continued through the 1930’s, but its existence was brought to an end by the outbreak of World War Two. An effort was made to revive the band in the early 1950’s, but it lasted for only a few years.

The current band was inaugurated in 1970 as a result of a chance meeting between two pipers and a drummer in a local hotel. The drummer commented that they could make better use of their time by reviving the town pipe band. The new band was styled The Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band to acknowledge the catchment area from which members came. Initially the uniforms and many of the instruments were purchased second-hand. Gradually, new uniforms and drums have been purchased. Although the band has one or two sets of pipes that could be loaned to band members, the majority of pipers had their own instruments. The band wears Clan Macpherson bonnet badges, glengarry badges and kilt pins and the Ancient Red Macpherson tartan by kind permission of the band patron, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny. The pipers’ bag covers are Black Watch tartan in honour of the regiment that recruits primarily from Perthshire. Since the early 1980’s the band has had two uniforms – full dress and second dress. The full dress uniform attracts admiring glances from the crowds and a fair number of prestige engagements, though its upkeep is demanding on funds. It can cost as much as £3,000 to kit out a piper with full dress uniform.

Since 1970, band membership has ebbed and flowed, particularly with respect to younger players who go away to college, move away for employment or become involved in other hobbies, etc. In 2004, when Allan Proctor approached the band to express his interest in giving it some support, it was in one of its doldrum periods. However, by mid 2005 the band’s status and future was looking much more promising. New pipers had joined the band and the drum corps, though relatively small, comprised a group of strong players, each with several years of drumming experience.

When Allan Proctor was informed about the band’s improved viability he agreed to sponsor it commencing January 2006. Since receiving this sponsorship the band has gone from strength to strength. Currently it has a playing membership of 16 pipers, 7 drummers and an encouraging number of learners. The three longest serving members of the band have put in a total of 94 years practising, marching and playing. Davie Miller was one of the two pipers involved in the chance meeting in the hotel bar, so Davie has been a stalwart member of the band since 1970. Brian Rumble joined the band in 1978 as a piper, having played previously in the Capital City Pipes and Drums, Columbus, Ohio. When the band boasted 20 pipers, in the 1990’s he was Drum Major at prestige engagements and fronted the band with the mace.

Despite this healthy membership, the band still needs to swell its ranks. If there is anyone out there who is an experienced piper or drummer or has a secret aspiration to play pipes or drums, please come along to The Proctor Group Dunkeld Road facility on the band’s practice night. Learners meet from 7pm to 8pm on Thursdays and playing members meet with practice pads, practice chanters, pipes and drums from 7pm to 9pm on Thursdays.

The band has secured a number of prestige engagements this year. On two occasions it has been invited to beat retreat at The Gleneagles Hotel. It has been engaged for weddings at the Dunkeld Hilton Hotel, Murrayshall Hotel and Gleneagles Hotel. In late September it is to play for a special function at the Old Course Hotel, St. Andrews. Unfortunately, due to having a previously arranged commitment, it was unable to accept the annual invitation to take part in the Royal British Legion Scotland Beating Retreat in Edinburgh in July. Recently it was invited to play again at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering – an event it has played at for more than fifteen years. In 1995 the band won the shield for the best turned out band at Braemar. The highlight of this year was a trip to Aschaffenburg, Bavaria where the band played for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Twinning between Perth & Kinross and Aschaffenburg. Whilst there we met and played with the Spessart Highlanders Pipe Band. The two bands got along famously and many friendships were spawned. The hospitality of the German pipe band was extremely warm and generous.

During the year the band has been able to replace a number of items of uniform. All playing members have been issued with new waterproof capes, white hose and ghille brogues. The new capes and the pipers’ bag covers now sport an impressive badge acknowledging The Proctor Group sponsorship. The pipers have a matching set of new Niall chanters. These have a beautiful tone. Plans are afoot to purchase a new drum and to renovate/rebuild the existing drums.

Improvements in the band’s membership, playing ability, turn-out and appearance since the beginning of this year is inspirational. Already several engagements for 2007 have been agreed. After renewing our friendships with members of the Spessart Highlanders Pipe Band from Aschaffenburg, who were in Perth for a return visit to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Twinning, there are tentative plans for another visit to Bavaria for the Volkfest during the coming year. The Blairgowrie Band was delighted to return the generous hospitality it received at the hands of the Spessart Highlanders in June by hosting them at a bar supper and ceilidh at the Royal Hotel, Blairgowrie. The following Sunday the two bands played together, at the invitation of the Provost of Perth, Bob Scott, leading the parade of dignitaries and members of the Perth and Aschaffenburg Twinning Committees to the church service that preceded the dinner to conclude the German visitors’ trip to Perth

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