History of Lanarkshire’s Pipe Bands

Lanarkshire continues to have more active pipe bands than most other counties in Scotland, all of which perform in the county’s many annual celebrations, such as gala days, Highland Games, farming shows, Christmas parades, Hogmany festivals and more. 

Shire Extra supports Lanarkshire’s very many pipe bands and solo pipers (see our list below), as well as events and festivals that celebrate this important sound of Scottish culture. We also have a program dedicated to this genre on Friday evenings. We endeavour to attend Piping Live and the International Piping Festival in Glasgow (www.pipinglive.co.uk) , as well as other events within or near Lanarkshire where pipe bands regularly perform. 

In Scotland, civilian and community pipe bands usually consist of a number of pipers playing the Great Highland Bagpipe, along with a group of snare drummers, some tenor drummers and one or two bass drummers that are collectively known as the drum corps. All members are dressed in kilts with the “band tartan”  and are led by a Pipe Major and possibly a Pipe Drum Major. 

The origins of pipe bands are in the military, where soldiers would play to keep morale up and maintain a steady tempo on long marches. They are thought to date back to the early 1800s, when groups of pipers and drummers would play together to keep troops marching in step to the music. The first formal pipe bands were created when officers realised they could use pipers to recruit soldiers. The shape of the band as we know it today came about after Queen Victoria instructed that the pipes should lead the march. The British Empire’s expansion led to the spread of piping around the world, as Scottish troops and emigrants carried their traditional music with them.

Although there are records showing groups of pipers being assembled for performances that occurred in the 1860’s, there is some uncertainty as to which community band was the very first to form. However, their origins officially date back to the 1880’s.  The Collinton & Currie Pipe Band was formed in 1887 and is possibly the oldest in Scotland. They regularly played in Lanarkshire for the annual Gala Day at Carstairs Junction during the mid-2000’s. Sadly they no longer perform (at time of writing) and disbanded during the Covid years.

Other community pipe bands which formed in the 1880’s include Wallacestone, Inveraray, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch. The first civilian pipe bands were formed by the police and fire brigade. The Govan Police Pipe Band was formed in 1883. 

Although Kilsyth Pipe Band formed in 1889, their earliest known public performance was in 1891 at a church parade.

Coalburn Pipe Band dates back to 1894. The Coalburn IOR Pipe Band has won over 15 band and drumming titles since 2010. 

Stonehouse Pipe Band was established in 1899 and were winners of some of the first civilian pipe band competitions held at the Argyll Gathering. 

The Lanark and District Pipe Band also formed in 1899 and participated in its first competition in 1900 at the Lanark Flower Show, where it placed second out of seven entrants.

The Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band was established in 1910. Although it has undergone some minor name-changes over the years, it is still recognised as one of Scotland’s finest bands, having won many accolades and piping competitions, being 16-time winners of the RSPBA World Pipe Band Championships.

Newmains & District Pipe Band was established in 1914. Pipe Major David Hutton played with the band from its inception and went on to play with the world-famous Muirhead and Sons Pipe Band.

The Uddinsgton Strathclyde Pipe Band is a relative newcomer, having been established in 1972.

Perhaps one of the youngest bands in Scotland is Bothwell Castle Pipe Band, which was formed in 2010. 

Pipe band music has evolved over time, and now includes adaptations of Western music for pipes and drums. Some bands, like The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, have brought pipe band music into the mainstream.

Below is a list of local community pipe bands in Lanarkshire, with their website and social media links.

Biggar RBL Pipe Band
Facebook

Bothwell Castle Pipe Band
Website   Facebook

Coalburn IOR Pipe Band
Website   Facebook   Twitter

East Kilbride Pipe Band
Website   Facebook   Twitter

Kilsyth Thistle Pipe Band
Facebook

Lanark & District Pipe Band
Facebook

Moodiesburn & District Pipe Band
Facebook

Newmains & District Pipe Band
Facebook

North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band
No weblinks available.

Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band
Website   Facebook   Twitter

Stonehouse Pipe Band
Facebook   Twitter

Uddingston Strathclyde Pipe Band
Facebook


Written by A.G.G and D.W (01/01/25)