McNab family crowned world’s biggest pipe fans
A search to find the family with the most ties to piping in the world has seen Perthshire residents come out on top.
Piping At Forres publicised the competition online and it soon went ‘viral’, with social media posts reaching more than 20,000 people in just 48 hours and one nomination coming from as far away as Canada.
But it was the McNab family from Pitlochry, who have 11 family members either playing pipes or drums for the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band or learning to play the instruments, who wowed the judges.
The McNabs, whose interest in piping and drumming spans four generations, have now won a family pass to attend the European Pipe Band Championship’s in June and will also attend a launch party in April.
It was head of the clan, Gillie McNab, who entered her family into the contest.
She said: “We are delighted that we have been chosen as the winners. All we seem to do is eat and sleep pipe bands. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I found out. The whole family was surprised, but we feel very honoured.”
Gillie’s passion for piping was fuelled by her father, Gideon Scott May, who was president of the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band in 1966. She followed in his footsteps and joined the band the following year. She went on to have three sons, who are all now members of the band too.
Gillie explained: “They used to come to competitions and were soon brainwashed and all learnt to play the drums. I then had my daughter, Irralee, who also got the pipe band bug
Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman are en route to Inchyra and she learned to play the side drum then [went on] to compete on pipes.
“But that’s not all, three years ago Irralee’s wee boy, Logan, became a tenor drummer, and her husband Ian and his daughter Lucy also play.
“Then, two years ago, my grandson Archie joined and this year my granddaughter Flora joined as tenor drummer.
“I’m currently teaching my granddaughter Millie the chanter and she’ll soon be ready for pipes. So it really is a family affair.”
Joanna Taylor, a director of Forres Events Ltd – the company that organises Piping At Forres – said: “As soon as the story hit the media and our social media pages
Back, from left, Gillie, Irralee, Bongo, Kevin and Alan McNab. Front, from left, Logan, Irralee’s son, and Archie, Bongo’s son there was great interaction and we were delighted to get so many quality entries.
“However, the McNab family clinched it due to the numerous years they have been involved in piping, the number of members still currently playing and the new generations starting to learn.”
Piping at Forres will be held on Saturday, June 24 in Grant Park, Forres.