Our Pipe Band
2nd Renfrew prides itself that it has, at various times over the years, had a pipe band.
The first pipe band was formed in 1926, when the Troop received a gift of three sets of bagpipes from a Committee of the boys’ parents, and one set of pipes from Mr. Mitchell’s Junior Choir (of Trinity Church). The band also received two side drums from a Mr. Todd and one large drum from the first Scoutmaster’s father (also Mr. Archie Ferguson). The band’s kilts were ex-Army and cost 105 shillings each (£5.25 in today’s money, not accounting for inflation).
We’re delighted that we still have, in good condition, the large drum from Mr. Ferguson and we were proud to have it on display at our memorabilia events. There’s a picture below of the Pipe Band display, with the drum proudly placed in the centre. Other important items we were pleased to have on display were two sets of bagpipes, one which belonged to Alex Harvie (former Group Scout Leader and leader of the Pipe Band – the Harvie family kindly lent us the pipes for display) the other set belonging Jim Hair (former Scout Leader).
The following picture of our Pipe Band display shows all the above items, including an extra drum on the right. This drum was won by the ‘Scots Patrol’ at a Danish Jamboree in Gravenshod in 1955. They weren’t particularly happy at winning a drum, but with hindsight it was a great prize as it was put to good use by band members after the camp. In 2021 we were all unsure about a plaque which had come from an international Jamboree in Denmark, in 1955. Fortunately, one of the Patrol who won the drum was able to enlighten us that the plaque and drum went together as the winning item, so with thanks to Charles McQueen the problem is now solved. The plaque (with the fleur de lys) is on the left of the drum, with a photograph of the winning patrol on the right.
Here’s the picture of the proud Patrol with the drum:
The first appearance of part of the band, albeit only the drummers was in 1927 when they played at a Church Parade with Dalmuir Parish Pipe Band.
The pipe band subsequently flourished with the full band seeing its first public appearance to provide their services by playing at an Armistice parade in 1928.
The band continued to thrive and, in 1929, attended the Annual Rally held at a summer camp in June. There was more – when the Troop attended several Church Parades including the Scottish Scout Week Service and the Armistice Service, the band piped the Troops to and from the church on both occasions.
There was no let up for the band, as in 1930 they again attended an Annual Rally (this time held in Blythswood Policies*) in June of that year. The event saw displays from all participating Troops and the band played selections during the evening.
The band continued its practices and in 1934 again performed in public at the Church Parades of the Cub Packs in April, the annual Church Parade in June and the Armistice Parade in November.
By 1947 the band were regularly performing in public and raising funds to contribute to their own running costs. With demand for tuition and band membership increasing, there was a demand for more equipment, a challenge which 2nd Renfrew rose to.
Being an important part of the Troop, the band attended international camps, often performing on board the ferries which took them to and from Scandinavia – here are pictures of the band carrying out some onboard entertaining:
Band playing (Alex MacDonald on side drum) on ferry approaching Esbjerg in 1967
1967 again – L to R: Alex MacDonald, Billy Speirs, Brian Cowie
1967 once again – clockwise: Stevie Henderson, “Skipper”, Alex MacDonald
1967 – clockwise: Gordon Dunse (back view left), Gordon Graham, Stephen Henderson, “Skipper”, Alex MacDonald, Stewart Watt, Brian Cowie, Billy Speirs
Many of the band members have benefitted hugely from learning and playing with the Scouts as they’ve gone on to play with world renowned bands, some subsequently become judges at all manner of piping events. What a fantastic legacy for a Scout pipe band.
Drum roll … Interesting Band Facts:
One item we did come across is recorded in the Camp Report from the National Jamboree at NY-Hedeby in Denmark in 1969. It’s a bit lengthy, but bear with us as it makes good, cheery, read):
“The Pipe Band
Jim McDonald, by virtue of his experience with Kilbarchan Pipe Band was appointed Pipe Major for the trip and immediately the band took on a new aura of confidence. Despite the limited repertoire which most of the pipers had the band began from the first practice in the hall to sound something like a united unit and not as before, like several cats being tramped upon at different times.
As related by Brian Cowie, the band played on board ship leaving harbour, gave concerts on the after deck in the afternoon and performed at the Ceilidh in the evening on ship. Copenhagen was awakened in the early hours of the Monday morning by the band and thus the pattern was set.
Everywhere the band went they performed with considerable energy and the only member of the band who seemed to get upset was our bass drummer, since he found it difficult to court his Danish girlfriend and carry the big drum at the same time. Two very distinctive honours were bestowed on the band during the trip. We hadn’t been many hours in the camp when the G.S.L. was sent for and asked if the band would perform at the opening ceremony of the Jamboree. To this he agreed and the signal that the Jamboree was officially opened was the playing of Highland Laddie followed by Scotland the Brave forty-two and a half times. The pipers were sure D. Killin was affected by the heat and eventually after forty-three times through Scotland the Brave, Jim McDonald almost took the drumsticks from Ross Bennet half way through the 43rd time to put an end to the marathon.
On the day of our departure, we were again requested to play, this time a Royal Command performance for Princess Benedicte, whose equerry came over after the performance with a message from the Princess, thanking us and hoping that we had a safe journey home.
Perhaps the most poignant moment was the last, when the troop was assembled at our “Hut” and the band (or what was left of it (as two leading members were no longer available) comprising four pipers and four drummers led them off through the camp with the boys waving cheerio to all in sundry. We were never quite sure whether it was sadness or gladness at our leaving, but almost immediately we struck up Scotland the Brave once again, scouts came running from all over the camp site and marched alongside us, and by the time we reached the gates of the camp several hundred were following and gave us a resounding send off.
The thanks of the band go to Jim McDonald for assisting us and to D. Killin for all his help. Such as the success of the band that since band practice resumed five boys have started learning the chanter under D. Killin and five learner drummers under the wing of Billy Speirs.”
The Camp Report also includes a transcription of an article in a Danish Newspaper on 25 July 1969:
“Dennevirke Times 25.07.69
Headlines: Bagpipe Concert in the Dampark this evening.
The people of Haderslev have this evening the opportunity of hearing real Bagpipe music.
The Scots Scouts who are visiting 1st Haderslev Troop are giving a concert with pipe and drums at the orchestra place in the Dampark at 8 o’clock. The concert will last half-an-hour, and will be given by a band comprising six pipers and four drums.
The 27 Scottish Scouts came to Haderslev on Tuesday and are privately billeted. On Saturday they leave for Ny‑Hedeby and on the 5th August they go to Copenhagen. Two Scottish families with three children are however installed in the Guide hut on Aastrupvej and will be staying there until the 5th August, if anyone is interested they are very welcome to come and visit them”.
Question: Who would have known that the band would play for Danish Royalty and be the main feature of an evening’s entertainment for a town? In view of all that, Stevie Henderson discovered that by using some mathematics, the band was famous, all based on the number of people who had heard the band in Denmark. Here’s his thinking:
If we add those who have heard the band since, from around Renfrew attending Armistice parades to various Scout events at home and abroad, we can safely say the band’s reach is more than 500,000.
Based on these figures and Stevie Henderson’s thinking, the pipe band was most definitely FAMOUS!
The band continued to accompany the Group on its travels to camps at home and abroad, as well as leading the Group and District at numerous parades. There’s no doubt that the band continued to provide that star attraction in the intervening years.
Like many things in life, there was an inevitable waxing and waning in band member numbers as generations moved through the Group. For several years the band was in abeyance however, never ones to lie down in the face of adversity, by the 1980’s a new and successful friendship with a Danish Scout Troop from Vinderslev was formed.
As a result of this friendship, with a with a newfound vigour, the band numbers grew and they led the Group on numerous events in Denmark and during the return visit of our Danish friends to Scotland in 1986.
Sadly, once again a victim of waning numbers, by the 1990’s the band was put in abeyance, where it remains today.
To bring back memories for former Troop and band members, we’re finishing this article with photographs.
Pipe Major – International Exchange Camp, Vinderslev, Denmark, 1984
Band at International Exchange Camp, Vinderslev, 1984
Band at International Exchange Camp, Vinderslev, Denmark, 1984
Band in 1947 – Newspaper Extract
Not sure of the date for this picture
Church Parade in Glebe Street, Renfrew, 1971
1971 – Fauldshead Road, Renfrew – piping a welcome with Danish Scouts
Band in Robertson Park, Renfrew, in 1948
Performing in Denmark in 1969
Another performance in Denmark in 1969
Another performance at the Ny-Hedeby Camp in 1969
Piping at the Closing Ceremony at Ny-Hedeby in 1969 – yes, we were all played out at that camp!
Piping at Legoland in Denmark. We provided a piping exhibition and the whole Troop saw Legoland free of charge!
Piping at Dampark, Denmark, 1969
Finally …
We hope this article has brought back many memories and will rekindle stories of Band performances which can be passed on to our younger generation. We know this article is quite long, but our Band is such an important part of our history, we had to do it justice both at the memorabilia displays and now on our website.