BAND HISTORY

Whilst on holiday in the 60’s, Mr. Eddie Duce sat gazing pensively out of his hotel window. As he mused life’s lot the haunting strains of the Great Highland Bagpipes pervaded his consciousness. Captivated, he grabbed his camera (he is a keen photographer) and rushed out of the building to immortalise the moment. As a result of this impulse and impromptu photographic session with Pipe Major Dan Macrae, a special friendship developed between these two gentlemen.

 

Pipe Major Dan Macrae, formerly of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, very kindly took Eddie under his wing to share and nurture within him the art of Highland piping. Eddie practised for long hours until he mastered the art and in 1965 invited other like-minded persons to join with him to form our Band.His wife, Doreen, was also enthused by the hobby but instead of learning to play an instrument became the hard working and conscientious Secretary to the Band.

A decision was made to wear the 42nd or ‘Black Watch’ tartan and as the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders wore this tartan the name:  SUTHERLAND PIPES & DRUMS was chosen.

    (Picture from Pipe Majors Jacket)

The Family crest of Sutherland was also chosen and with that in mind permission was sought from the Countess of Sutherland and the Lord Lyon of Arms (Scotland) for our Civilian band to wear it. This was granted. This we consider a great Honour and Privilege.

The Crest is a Cat sejant erect guardant proper, above which is the family Motto ‘SANS PEUR’ literally translated as ‘WITHOUT FEAR’ ‘FEARLESS’

The Band’s ‘MARCH PAST’ is ‘THE HEIGHTS OF CASINO’ composed by Pipe major Dan Macrae and played with his permission and in his honour.

 

 

 

 

BAND UNIFORM

The Band’ s uniform is based on traditional Highland military dress and is formed to promote the traditions and music of the Highland military.

The Pipers wear Green Doublets (jackets) with a full Plaid and the Drummers wear red doublets trimmed with crown tape, the colours of the English regiments, whence the drummers came, and a smaller drummers Plaid. The head-dress is commonly the Feather bonnet sporting a red hackle (feather tufts) and for ‘walking out’ the Glengarry, pipers with cock feathers and drummers with a red and white braided trim.

We are not a bunch of stuffy old traditionalist! Instead we represent a fusion of ancient and modern. Our music ranging from the foot tapping ‘come-al-yeas’ of the Ceilidh to the poignant laments.

We are a ‘hobby band’ that prides itself in enjoying playing many tunes and entertaining by good playing and spectacle. For this reason we do not engage in competitions but prefer to channel our efforts into promoting the Highland tradition to as many people as possible.

We have played in England Germany Luxembourg and Belgium notably we have played At ‘Cinquantinairre’ in Brussels in 1994 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the City’s Liberation. This we did before Prince Andrew and in 1995 we played before Prince Edward in Luxembourg.

We have represented Britain at British Fairs in Huy, Vise and Bastogne, all in Belgium.

 

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