The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dundee pipe band hits right note with big win
Mackenzie Caledonian took first place at the UK championships
Tayside musicians struck the right chord when they won first place in the UK Pipe Band Championships.
The Dundee-based Mackenzie Caledonian Pipe Band travelled to Stormont ground, just outside Belfast, where they placed first in the grade two category on Saturday.
This triumph follows on from the band’s earlier success in May, when they came second in the British Pipe Band Championships in Paisley.
Pipe Major Neil Nicholson said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the result.
“We had a good build up, going across on Friday and having a practice in the evening, before playing in the morning.
“There were around 15 bands there, so there was plenty of competition.
“This is the first time the band has won first place in 50 years, so it’s a great achievement. The team really pulled together – we’ve got three people who came all the way from Australia for this. There’s so much work that goes into practising, all year round.”
The band – which has 18 pipers and 17 drummers – is celebrating its centenary this year.
Mackintosh pipe band was formed in 1918, followed by Caledonian in the 1920s, with the two bands merging in 1958.
Neil added: “Over the past five years, the band has really developed.
“We have a big age range – the youngest member competing was 16 and the oldest in their 60s. We also have a junior band with 12 pipers and five drummers.”
The weekend’s contest is held annually and organised by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
The other local bands competing were Carnoustie and District who were placed fifth in grade 3B, Perth and District who competed in Grade 4A and the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band from Pitlochry who compete in grade one.
This is the first time the band has won in 50 years, so it’s a great achievement