The pipe band attached to the De La Salle Scout Group spent six very enjoyable days in Scotland in early August 2006. The party left Waterford early on August 3rd to catch a flight from Dublin Airport to Edinburgh. Much earlier that morning the van full of the band’s gear provided courtesy of Maurice Kavanagh a member of the band many years ago' left Waterford driven by Sean Murphy and Tony Maddigan and headed to North Berwick via the ferry from Belfast.

By seven o clock that evening all had arrived safely and everyone set about making them selves comfortable for the remainder of their stay. For the second year running we were met by Lyle and Margaret Ann Crawford of the North Berwick Pipe Band and by Joan Lunn of the 1st North Berwick Scout Group. Margaret Ann again provided a delicious meal which was appreciated by all.

On Friday morning it was up bright an early and after a good breakfast everyone got into uniform, tuned their instrument and were transported to Luchie House which is a respite centre for MS suffers. The band performed for the people resident in the House for the weekend and it was good to meet old friends there again. The band then was provided with a banquet fit for a king. As it was a family weekend at the centre a soccer match commenced and kilts were seen to fly a little higher than usual at times. After that it was back to the scout hall and a few hours were spent preparing for the Highland Games the following day. Help in our preparations was provided by North Berwick Pipe Band personnel and we were grateful to Allen and David for their efforts. A very good sound was achieved and when the preparations were completed everyone was looking forward in anticipation to what a competition might bring.

Then it was time for dinner, after which the band and their friends headed to see the Edinburgh Tattoo. Again this year it was a spectacular event and everyone enjoyed it and promised to return again in the not too distant future.

On Saturday morning we arose to a glorious day and after breakfast the band prepared for its first ever competition. Much preparation had been completed over the months for this competition and the band members were very excited but also nervous about the prospect. Having walked to the location where the Games were to be held the band commenced tuning and again with the generous help of the Scots, pipes and drums were prepared and tuned. Then at ten thirty the band was first up to the starting line. Following a hand shake with the chief judge the Pipe Major gave the order and the band members did the very best they could. A lot was learned from taking part in this competition and while the band had stayed clear of competing prior to now a number of band members expressed the view that more competitions would be useful in improving the band’s standard of playing. The band will be discussing this possibility in the near future and then decisions will have to be made about future competitions. It’s probably safe to say that the jury is still out on what we may do in the future.

After the competition the band was invited to the Games President’s tent for refreshments after which they spent the rest of the day enjoying the various events which were being staged at the games. At the end of the Games the band took part in the march past and paraded into North Berwick. A large appreciative crowd had gathered along the route and it was a pleasure to play for them.

In the town centre the bands played past the reviewing stand and on completion of the parade all of the band members headed back to the scout hall in preparation for the next gig of the day. It had been a very busy day and some of the band members were beginning to feel the pressure but they all stayed with it and headed to the neighbouring town of Haddington to beat retreat with six other pipe bands.

On arrival at Haddington we were met by the Drum Major in charge who took us through what was going to happen. Then after rehearsing one set the event begun. We marched into the town where we counter marched having passed through the square. Then all of the bands formed into a large circle and entertained the very large crowd. On completing the event the pipes and drums were joined by a brass band and the DLS PB enjoyed another very new experience as they had never before played in this way.

A lot of people commented that the De La Salle Scout Pipe Band in their distinctive saffron kilts, stood out from among all of the tartan. Also in discussing the event after it had finished, every member of the band commented on how much they had enjoyed the whole event and how it was the highlight for them so far on the trip.

At this point on Saturday after a very busy day there was one more engagement for the band and this was to play a few tunes at the Highland Games Evening Ceili and a number of pipers and drummers headed back to the games Field and once again did Waterford and the De La Salle Scout Group proud in the way they entertained the crowd. After that it was time to sit back and enjoy the evening. When everyone eventually got to their beds they were all very proud people for all they had achieved during a very long but enjoyable day.

Sunday dawned all too soon and another very memorable day lay ahead. North Berwick Pipe Band and De La Salle Scout Group Pipe Band headed into Edinburgh to join up with other scout associated pipe bands and to form “The Centenary Scout Pipe Band and parade in front some 100,000 people who had gathered to view the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade Parade.

After a short tuning up session the bands were ready to form up and the De La Salle Scout Group Pipe Band were given the right flank and Pat Murphy was given the honour of being Pipe Major for the day.

When the parade was over there was a mad dash to find somewhere to watch the All Ireland Semi Final in which Waterford were playing. A good time was had by all watching the match and it was a great opportunity to meet with the other pipers and drummers who joined us but unfortunately Waterford lost the match and that put a bit of a damper on the day. However many of our fellow band members on the day expressed a desire to join us in Waterford on a Patrick’s Day so we will look forward to that.

Monday was a free day for shopping and everyone headed into Edinburgh and later that evening there was a bit of a party which was attended by all to wrap up the trip. Tuesday morning arrived all too quickly and as the van had to be on the road early it was all hands on deck to pack everything and get the scout hall back into tip top shape. The flights and journey home were non eventful and a very tired party of band members and friends arrived safely in Waterford in or around ten o clock.  It’s safe to say that this will not be the last time the band will see Scotland and plans are already in hand for another return soon.

The only question remains outstanding now is who will lead the next trip and from the picture above you can see there is already one contender for the leadership position ?????????????? in the wings.

So to everyone who helped make this trip the huge success it was, thank you all very much and to every band member keep up the good work and continue to make the De La Salle Scout Group a unique place for anyone who decides to join the band.

  (Click to view a larger image)

Entrance | Pipe Band | Band Selections | Band History

Guestbook | Questions | Site Map