Thurso Pipe Band beats the lockdown blues with online video
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YOU can now "boogie to the bog roll beat", as one online commentator put it, thanks to Thurso Pipe Band creating a special lockdown video on its Facebook page to help raise the spirits of its members.
The video shows various members of the band playing at home, with some in fancy dress, and contains many laugh-out-loud moments.
David Manson, the subcommittee secretary in the band as well as its bass drummer, said: "The pipe band has seen a resurgence in the last six months, with over 10 new members joining its ranks.
"We've been practising hard these past few months but, like all clubs, everything stopped when the lockdown happened."
David said the band members didn't want to waste the months of hard work and were determined to keep the momentum going.
"We have been holding our monthly meetings through Zoom as well as keeping in touch through social media," he added.
The band members have close ties with Kirkwall City Pipe Band, which recently invited them to take part in a "loo roll challenge".
"We grabbed it with both hands – so to speak," David joked.
"It took us a week to complete [the video] – with everyone making their own clips at home.
"It really boosted the band's morale during these uncertain times and was a great way of keeping us all connected. Older members as well as new members took the challenge on, as well as our southern based players."
Calum McLennan – a Thurso Pipe Band piper based in Edinburgh – was the "tech wizard" who cleverly pulled together all the clips, and Scottish group Mànran allowed the use of one of their tracks for the recording.
"The video has had a fair amount of interest on social media," David said. "We are also keen to pay tribute to NHS workers and all key workers who are working tirelessly, keeping us safe and keeping the country running.
"Several members of the band work for the NHS and are frontline workers.
"As well as this, members are helping in the community and have been paying tribute to NHS staff and key workers, playing at 8pm on Thursday nights during the lockdown."
Pipe Major Robbie Campbell said: "It is vital the band keeps the momentum going in these uncertain times and recording the challenge has given the band a huge boost."
The challenge video can be seen on the band's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thursopipeband/videos/154009226045903/
Other videos can be accessed on the band's Facebook page and piper Megan Malcolm can be seen in another video playing at Thurso fire station last week as part of the Clap for Our Carers campaign: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=531272047552458
