grampian police pipe band

pipeband in aberdeen scotland

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Aberdeen City Police Pipe Band was formed in 1907. Since then, the Band has had a long and proud tradition of playing at events and competitions throughout Scotland and has become a particular favourite with the people of the North-East of Scotland. The Band originally wore the ‘Hunting Gordon’ tartan, clearly identifying itself with its strong North-East roots. However in 1965 a new uniform was chosen and since that time the Band has worn the Black Stewart tartan. On formal occasions the Band wears a full military style uniform of black doublets, tartan plaids and feather bonnets. The Band wears jackets and waistcoats with glengarries on less formal occasions and in competition.

In 1975, regionalisation of the Scottish Police Service resulted in Aberdeen City Police and the Scottish North Eastern Counties Constabulary merging to form Grampian Police. This necessitated a change of name for the Band which has since been known by its present title of ‘Grampian Police Pipe Band’.

The Band continues to perform regularly throughout Scotland at Highland Games and Community and Police Events. In addition the Band has made several television appearances during the past few years including a recent appearance on the internationally acclaimed BBC television drama series ‘Monarch of the Glen’.

During the past twenty years the Band has been invited to perform at various music festivals and events abroad and has performed in numerous countries including Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Indonesia and at the world famous Calgary Stampede in Canada.

In 1990 the Band was honoured to be invited to perform for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother within the grounds of her private residence at Birkhall on Royal Deeside in celebration of her 90th birthday.

The Band has competed regularly at local and national level since its inception. However it was in 1991, whilst competing at Grade Three level that the Band’s recent success story started. In that year they won four out of the five major pipe band championships including the World Championship. As a result, they were upgraded to Grade Two for the 1992 season. The following three seasons saw further successes at Grade Two level including the Scottish, British, European and Cowal Championships being won by the Band during that time. As a result of this continued development the Band was promoted to Grade One for the start of the 1995 season. The Band now competes in Grade Two.

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