Despite the rather cold, wet and windy weather conditions, Grampian Police Scotland Pipe Band performed a lead role in the Aberdeen City Council Remembrance Day Parade. The ceremony was held on Sunday 12th November at the City War Memorial, Schoolhill. The Band led a Parade of Veterans and Services Personnel from Belmont Street to the War Memorial. During the service, Pipe Major Pamela Whyte played the Piper’s Lament, ‘Flowers o’ the Forest’. At the conclusion
To date, 2017 has been a very good year on all fronts for the Grampian Police Scotland Pipe Band. A spirited momentum has developed which has continued throughout the short end of season break. This has resulted in some restructuring within the Band and the arrival of quite a few new Players. At the close of last season two key Players, Leading Drummer Nicky Gibson and Pipe Sergeant Blair Milne, decided to step down from
Grampian Police Scotland pipe band concluded the 2017 competition season with the world pipe band championship held in Glasgow Green on the 12th of August. The grade 2 contest was split into two qualifying heats and the band played early in heat one at approximately 10.30. Despite playing a good performance the Judges did not place the band in the top 6 so they did not move on to the final. The performance from
Saturday’s (29.07.17) RSPBA Scottish Championships at Dumbarton were dogged by very changeable weather. Grampian Police Scotland Pipe Band’s competition preparation and the actual arena performance were a real challenge with heavy rain, sunshine and wind all being experienced. Despite these conditions, the Band achieved an extremely creditable 6th place in Grade 2. This solid performance provided the second consecutive top six placing for the Band at a Major Competition. Pipe Sergeant
A dream has come true for a Brazilian bagpiper visiting Aberdeen for the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. A representative from Rio de Janeiro-based Vieira Brum Pipe Band project, who played the pipes and drums for the Dept of International Trade and Balmoral Offshore Engineering at last year’s Rio Oil and Gas exhibition, has realised a lifelong dream by visiting Scotland. Band leader, Jhonny Mesquita, and his translator are visiting Aberdeen for the festival following a
The summer holiday period is never an easy time to muster a Band for a public performance. Despite this real challenge, Saturday 20th July saw Grampian Police Scotland Pipe Band (GPSPB) continue its ongoing commitment to support local events. During that afternoon, the Band was to the fore throughout the ASCO Carnival Parade which forms a highlight of the Peterhead Scottish Week. The Carnival Parade followed a route through Peterhead town centre. The weather
During early 2016, Pipe Major Pamela Whyte, Pipe Sergeant Blair Milne and Leading Drummer Nicky Gibson decided upon the future musical direction of the Band. In addition to considerable practice time, this demanded the purchase of new Chanters, Reeds, Pipe Bags and a full set of Drums. As a consequence the Band’s sound has improved significantly. The instruments will continue to be maintained in best order, or indeed replaced, to meet the requirements of Pam,
Grampian Police Scotland Pipe Band was delighted to be able to contribute to the launch of the Friends of Anchors 20 for 20 campaign. As part of its milestone 20th anniversary, the charity has launched its biggest fundraising appeal ever by pledging £1 million as part of it’s “Big Dream” campaign to assist the University of Aberdeen’s ambitious £4.5m project to attract and recruit a world-class cancer research team to the North-east of Scotland.
Since 1954 Tulliallan Castle, Kincardine on Forth, has been the home of the Scottish Police College. The College Crest depicts two Oystercatchers surrounding the Police Scotland Badge which is itself flanked by two books to signify learning. Oystercatchers can be found throughout the Castle’s extensive grounds and their black and white plumage resembles the Police black and white checked hat band. The College motto is Bi Glic – Bi Glic. When spoken these Gaelic
During the past 2 years Grampian Police Scotland Pipe Band has invested in instruments and been practising extremely hard to enhance its sound quality and competition performances. This extended project has been carefully directed by Pipe Major Pamela Whyte and Leading Drummer Nicky Gibson. These endeavours have reaped rewards during the 2017 competition season. To date the Band has been placed first in Grade 2 at the North of Scotland Piping Quartets, and
