.::Penicuik & District::.
Pipe Band
Penicuik Pipe Band was formed in 1946. The first Pipe Major of the Band was P/M Paddy Neish and Leading Drummer Freddie Jones, both former Royal Scots. Most of the Band players were Mill workers from the local Paper Mills, Miners from the local Pits and Rail workers. How times change!
The Band wore the Hunting Stewart Tartan, as did many Bands in this area, as these kilts seemed to in plentiful supply at the end of the War.
The band mostly played at local Galas, events etc. Two of the major highlights of the year for the Band would be the parading through the Town on Penicuik Children's Gala Day and leading local miners and their families from Shottstown Miners Rows up to Penicuik railway station and away on their annual 'Miners Trip', usually over the Forth Bridge to Fife or down to the Borders. These were huge Occasions at the time.
With most of the players in the band working shifts and many of the youngsters who learned to play only having a few years in the band before they would be off to do National Service, it was often difficult to fulfill engagements. Pipe Major, Eddie Hanratty(S) tried to keep the band going, often holding practices in his house, but, unfortunately, the band more or less folded in 1966. Eddie, who joined the band in 1946 whilst still serving in the Royal Scots, is still a playing member of the band.
After many discussions and a fair bit of time, a meeting was called in August 1984 by pipers Eddie Hanratty(J) and Jim Nicholl, along with a friend enthusiast and excellent Administrator, Frank Young. Enough interest was shown and the decision was taken was reform the Band. The meeting decided to rename the Band 'PENICUIK AND DISTRICT PIPE BAND' such was the growth of the Town and its surrounding areas. There were still funds in the 'Old Penicuik Band' account and this got us started financially. However, much work was required to raise funds to buy Uniforms and Equipment. A Band meeting was held to decide on what Tartan the Band would wear and it was honed down to four. The Hunting Stewart (Historical Links), Black Stewart, Ancient Stewart of Appin and the Muted McNaughton. After much deliberation we chose the Muted McNaughton, partly because at that time, no other Band wore it. Black Jackets and sporrans were also initially chosen as most members owned these.
It was fitting that the First engagement the Band played was in Penicuik, May 1985, only 10 months after reforming. It was the local The Hunter and Lass ride out and there was a huge amount of pride as the Band led the parade through the Town. Since then the Band has gone from strength to strength, and this is a result of a lot of Hard Work over a number of years by a lot of dedicated people, to whom the Band is eternally Grateful.
The Band continue to play in local galas, parades etc as well as in National and Local competitions. The Band have been Lothian & Borders Champion of Champions, been placed at the Scottish, European, World and British Pipe Band Championships, as well as winning the world famous Cowal Championships.
At the end of season 2000, the Band was runners-up in the R.S.P.B.A. grade 4b Champion of Champions table and was crowned Champion of Champions Drum Corps. As a result the Band was upgraded to the grade 4a section.
The Band now plays in Grade 3 in the Pipe Band Competitions.