The Early Years

The origins of the Greater Glasgow Scotland Police Pipe Band can be traced back to 1883 with the formation of the Burgh of Govan Police Pipe Band. Uniquely, the band’s existence was endorsed by an Act of Parliament and the band shares with the 9th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry T.A. (Glasgow Highlanders), the distinction of being one of the first pipe bands to be formed out with the ranks of the British Army.

At the time of its formation the band was under the control of the Burgh Chief Constable and the Pipe Major was William Bremer. The first uniform was a home­spun kilt designed by the Chief Constable and this remained the uniform until 1913, when it was superseded by the Royal Stewart Tartan.

Pipe Major William Bremner was succeeded by Pipe Major Walter Drysdale in 1890 and was followed in turn by Pipe Major Alexander Hutcheon in 1898. It was during this time that the band became known beyond the confines of the shipbuilding burgh of Govan. The members travelled in a four-in-hand coach drawn by grey horses.

Pipe Major Hutcheon, who was from Ellon in Aberdeenshire, joined the police in 1891. He had served in the Scots Guards and during the Egyptian campaign in 1882 won the Khedive Medal and Star for bravery. He was known as a great piper, tutor, reedmaker; and his enthusiasm for piping infected all who were connected with him Alexander Hutcheon remained as Pipe Major until 1913 when he was superseded by Pipe Major William Gray.

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When Govan Burgh was annexed by Glasgow in 1912, the band passed over with the police to the greater entity, and as the City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band they enjoyed the support and encouragement of much larger numbers.

In 1920 under the leadership of Pipe Major William Gray, the band won the World Pipe Band Championship for the first time. However, another ten years passed before they repeated this feat under the same Pipe Major. This was due to Willie (as he was known) removing the band from competition and only playing at events that he thought appropriate. Being an exceptional Piobaireachd player and Gold Medal winner at the Argyllshire Gathering in 1909, Willie preferred to teach the band members for solo competition.

The band did however continue to play in contests which were organised by the Glasgow Parks Department. These were held in the Winter Gardens on Glasgow Green on Saturday evenings and the winning bands were awarded paid engagements to play in the Glasgow Parks during the summer months. This fitted with Willie’s view of the purpose of the Pipe Band. He said, “A band should be judged on its utility, or, in other words, according to the purpose which led to its creation.

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Military bands would thus be expected to show as their chief merits, a good appearance and a keen sense of time, civilian bands since their purpose is a pleasurable one, would be expected to have primarily a good repertoire and a pleasing standard of playing. The best band would be the one which combined all these qualities in the most efficient manner.”

Although this remark was made nearly a century ago, it is a philosophy which the successive Glasgow based Police Pipe bands have followed to the present day.

In 1932, the leadership changed once more. This time the position went to John MacDonald – AKA Seonaidh Roidein from South Uist. John was certainly one of this country’s most gifted pipers and was taught for many years by Willie Gray.

In 1926 John had famously won the Gold medal and the Open Piobaireachd on the same day at the Argyllshire Gathering, And a week later winning the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting in Inverness. With his ability, influence and dedication, the band took off and this was without doubt due to the good ground work from the individual tuition that was put in place by his predecessor. The band then went on to win the World Championship title in 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939 and then again after the second world war in 1946, 1949 and 1951.

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Pipe Major John MacDonald retired in 1958 and passed the Pipe Major’s post to another Uist man, Angus MacDonald, who took on the task of re-organising the band; the ranks having thinned out due to illness, retirements and a lack of obvious upcoming talent. During his tenure, Pipe Major Angus MacDonald slowly yet methodically rebuilt the band and had his patience rewarded when, in 1961 the Glasgow Police Pipe Band once again entered competitions.

After promotion to the rank of Chief Inspector in 1966, Angus decided to relinquish the musical leadership and was appointed Band President. Pipe Major Ronald Lawrie took over in 1967 and led the band to its first Champion of Champions title.

The Argyll “giant “, Ronnie built on this skilful pipe corps with a more flamboyant west coast style of up-tempo music as bands progressed into the further development of medleys to complement the traditional MSR. He liked up tempo marches to set the foot tapping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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