Caithness Youth Pipe Band set for first Tartan Parade in Edinburgh
Members of Caithness Youth Pipe Band are looking forward to playing their part in the inaugural Edinburgh Tartan Parade.
The event on Saturday, May 10, is being organised by Tartan Parade Scotland to celebrate Scottish history, heritage and culture and is a spin-off from the established Tartan Day held in New York.
The march will begin at the city’s Royal Mile, making its way down Cockburn Street, continuing to Waverley Bridge and culminating at the Mound precinct.
There will be a display of clan tartans as well as performances from pipe bands and Highland dancers to celebrate Edinburgh’s 900 years of history as well as its inclusivity and diversity today.
Caithness Youth Pipe Band was formed 25 years ago. Kevin Gunn was piping tutor until his retirement last October when Clare Miller, a former band member, took the helm.
Clare has worked with various bands in the south of Scotland and through her contacts the band received the Edinburgh Tartan Parade invitation. Drumming tutors are Nicol Simpson and Wullie Angus.
It has taken some time to re-establish the band after the pandemic but membership has increased over the past 18 months. Members’ ages range from nine years to late teens.
The band held a fundraising ceilidh in January and has received donations from Lybster and Tannach Fund, Caithness and North Sutherland Fund, Foundation Scotland ABH Funds (Halkirk and District), Foundation Scotland Mary Janet King Fund and Dounreay Employees Charity Fund.
Gunn contractors, Lybster, has sponsored the band for a year and Scrabster Harbour Trust continues its annual sponsorship as the band members regularly entertain cruise passengers.
A highlight for the band is an opportunity to take part in a concert in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall which will be headlined by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. It takes place in the evening after the parade and is seen as a great accolade for the band to mark its first 25 years.
It is hoped the band will perform at several venues, including the Mey Highland Games, during the year.