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23rd December 2007 - 2007 ... A Season to Remember!

With the band now taking a short break over Christmas, we would just like to thank all of those who have supported us over the last 12 months.  With the popularity of the website increasing all the time, it is really nice to read the favourable comments that have been left on the guestbook, as well as meeting many of you at the contests ... 2007 will certainly be a season that will not be forgotten for a long time to come!  The band are already working hard towards next year and with the 2008 calendar now more-or-less finalised, both bands are eager to get out and get noticed next season.

The date of our Annual Ceilidh has now been set, and will be held on Friday 7th March at the Ballerup Hall, East Kilbride as per last year.  Tickets will be available from early January and are once again priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children with a buffet included on the night - for further information and tickets please see any member of the band.

4th November 2007 - Former Members Night Success

Thanks to all those past members of the band who attended our recent Former Members Social Evening - especially those who travelled considerable distance to be there!  The night was a huge success and allowed the existing band a chance to relax away from the contests, meet some faces-of-old and reminisce about times-past, as well as look towards the future of the band.  Through the course of the evening we were able to piece together some more details surrounding the origins of East Kilbride Pipe Band and so look-out for some updates to the band history section of the website soon.  Special thanks must be expressed to Roddy for all of his hard work in organising this evening which we will no doubt look to run again sometime in the future ...

28th October 2007 - New East Kilbride Pipe Band is formed ...

Off the back of a tremendously successful 2007 season, and with a continued surge in membership, East Kilbride Pipe Band will look to field an additional competition band for the 2008 season.  The existing band has now officially been promoted into Grade 3B and will continue to be led by Pipe Major Fraser Dallas and Leading Drummer William Fraser.  The newly formed band, still under the name East Kilbride Pipe Band, will be led by Pipe Major Roddy Shanks and Leading Drummer Ian Patterson and expect to be contesting in Grade 4B from next year.  Both bands are currently looking to recruit experienced pipers and drummers to join the ranks, so why not give it a go?  See our recruitment section for details on joining the band ...

21st October 2007 - End of Season Personnel Changes

We would like to express our sincere thanks and best wishes for the future to Craig Smith, Dougie McKinlay, and Colin and Nigel Greeves who have all decided to leave the band. Both Colin and Dougie are off to join the Grade 2 Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Pipe Band, whilst Craig is planning to have a rest from the pipe band scene.

We also have a number of new players joining the band for the 2008 season - we would like to express a warm welcome to drummers Andrew Gallacher, Les Norton and Jennifer Sinclair who were all previously with Uddingston Strathclyde.  Piper Daniel Banks also joins us having previously played with the Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band, and students Julie Thomson and Daibhidh Moyes look forward to their first competition season next year!

9th September 2007 - Peebles closes the 2007 contest season

East Kilbride Pipe Band returned home victorious from Peebles Highland Games - the last contest of the 2007 season - to complete a tremendous season that has seen the band pick-up a prize at every competition.  Although the rain stayed away, conditions were a little overcast, but the band managed to maintain their prize-winning standard which saw the band collect 2nd prize from a large entry in the Grade 4 contest.  This prize brings the silverware tally for the season up to a staggering 23 trophies over 17 contests!  A big "well done" to all of the other bands in our grade this year - the rivalry has been truly interesting and very competitive, but above all it's been friendly and enjoyable.

The band are now on a short break before the AGM later this month, then we will be back at the practice in preparation for the 2008 season.  With significant changes in the band structure already in the pipeline, all members are eager to rest-up for a few weeks before knuckling-down to some hard work over the winter months, with the aim of being even bigger and better next season ...

Grade 4 results: 1st - Duns, 2nd - East Kilbride, 3rd - Newtongrange, 4th - Hawick. [Full Results ]

2nd September 2007 - Ayr prize at "Pipes in the Park" contest

East Kilbride Pipe Band were celebrating yet again after lifting 2nd prize at the "Pipes in the Park" contest at Ayr.  Still celebrating from last weekend, the band managed to put on a reasonable performance in both the Grade 4 and the Grade 3 events, even with a few key players missing on the day.  Although not making the prize list in the Grade 3 contest, the band were placed in a firm 2nd place behind local band, Troon Blackrock.  With only one remaining contest left for the 2007 season at Peebles next weekend, the band are eager to finish the season on a high ...

Grade 4 results: 1st - Troon Blackrock, 2nd - East Kilbride, 3rd - Kirkcudbright MacLellan, 4th - Milngavie N/J. [Full Results ]

26th August 2007 - Band crowned Champions Supreme at Cowal!

Congratulations to all in the band for yet another competition success at Cowal, that saw the band crowned 2007 Champion of Champions in Grade 4B!  With just a light smear of rain during the morning qualifier, the band gave a very tight performance that easily saw us progress through to the final.  However, although sounding quite nice at the start of the tune-up for the final, we hit some set-up issues just prior to going on that un-nerved the whole band and this was clearly evident during the performance.  Although still a good performance, we all knew that we could have done a lot better.  Come the end of the day the band placed 5th, but this was irrelevant as the band were all eager to receive the Champion of Champions trophy for Grade 4B, marking the consistency that the band has shown all season across all 5 of the Major Championships.

Grade 4B results: 1st - Belgian Blend, 2nd - Black Bottle of Islay, 3rd - Badenoch and Strathspey, 4th - Dr Wright Memorial, 5th - East Kilbride, 6th - Lanark and District. [Full Results ]

19th August 2007 - Awash at the Branch Championships

With rain being the recurring theme of this season, it was hoped that things may brighten up for the last few contests of the season.  Sadly, this was not to be the case at Rothesay with torrential conditions all day resulting in a cancelled march-past and the calling-off of the march down the street at the end of the day.  However, the band managed to pick up more silverware for the season with a 3rd prize in the open contest and a 2nd prize in the Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch Championships.  Let's just hope that Cowal is dry!

Grade 4 results: 1st - Clydebank, 2nd - Burntisland & District, 3rd - East Kilbride, 4th - Stamperland. [Full Results ]

12th August 2007 - A "Major" achievement - 3rd at the Worlds!

East Kilbride Pipe Band overcame extremely trying conditions to secure a 3rd prize in their grade at the recent World Pipe Band Championships.  After a soaking during the morning qualifier, the band struggled to get a sound for the final, and were still having problems at the final tuning.  Thankfully, we somehow managed to pull things together just prior to entering the competition ring and went on to give yet another solid performance for this year.  Congratulations to all those involved and thanks for all of their hard work, dedication and commitment shown by all band members to get the band where we are today!

With only one remaining Major Championship of 2007 (the Cowal Highland Gathering) the band are strong favourites to claim the Champion of Champions title for Grade 4B, being 4 points clear at the top of the table.  The drum corps also have a good chance of winning the drumming title this season as they are currently residing in 2nd place, just a few points behind Burntisland and District.

Grade 4B results: 1st - University of Bedfordshire, 2nd - Moneygore, 3rd - East Kilbride, 4th - Bready Ulster Scots, 5th - Black Bottle of Islay, 6th - Badenoch and Strathspey. [Full Results ]

5th August 2007 - Disappointing run at Dundonald

Dundonald Highland Games saw the band compete for the last time prior to the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow next weekend.  Although the weather was kind this time, the Grade 4 performance was a good bit off the mark compared with that of recent outings and this was reflected with a 3rd prize at the end of the day.  Thankfully, in the Grade 3 contest later that day, the band managed to pull things together a little better and although finishing outside of the prize list, the band was happier with this performance.

The band now have a hard week ahead in preparation for the World Championships ...

Grade 4 results: 1st - Johnstone N/J, 2nd - Troon Blackrock, 3rd - East Kilbride, 4th - Clydebank. [Full Results ]

29th July 2007 - And then the heavens opened at Inverness!

Enduring heavy highland showers, East Kilbride Pipe Band went on to take home 2nd prize in the 3rd Major Championship of the season held recently at Inverness.  With preparation going well for the morning MAP qualifier, the band headed over to the final tuning just as we found out what real highland rain was all about!  However, the weather did not put a dampener on our performance as the band went on to win the qualifying heat.  Setup for the Grade 4B final in the afternoon was yet again hampered by the weather, but the band overcame this and rose to the occasion to put in a performance that secured another 2nd place and has moved the band to the top and 1 point clear of Northern Constabulary in the Grade 4B Champions Table with only 2 Majors remaining ...

Grade 4B results: 1st - Black Bottle of Islay, 2nd - East Kilbride, 3rd - Northern Constabulary Community, 4th - Stockbridge, 5th - Badenoch and Strathspey, 6th - Denny and Dunipace. [Full Results ]

22nd July 2007 - Former members social night announced ...

Plans have now begun on arranging an end-of-season social night for the band to be held within East Kilbride later this year.  The event will take the format of a "Former Members Evening", giving existing members of the band a chance to meet some faces from the past!  If you are a former member of EKPB, or know of a former member of the band who would be interested in attending this evening, then please get in touch with us via our guestbook and we will contact you with more details nearer the time - looking forward already to a good night with old friends!

15th July 2007 - Grade 4 and Grade 3 prizes at Balloch!

Loch Lomond Highland Games saw East Kilbride Pipe Band lift a prize in Grade 3 for the first time this season!  Playing in the Grade 4 competition the band put in a reasonable performance, although a little down from the previous weeks' performance at Annan.  After a brief stop for breath, the band started their preparation for the Grade 3 contest knowing that a prize was there for the taking with only 2 official Grade 3 bands entered, and went on to put in a second, solid contest performance for the day.  In the end the band finished 3rd in Grade 4 and 4th in Grade 3.

Grade 4 results: 1st - Black Bottle of Islay, 2nd - Burntisland and District, 3rd - East Kilbride, 4th - Dunoon Argyll. [Full Results ]

8th July 2007 - 2nd prize at Annan contest

East Kilbride Pipe Band were back in their winning ways after earning a 2nd prize at the Annan Pipe Band Contest.  The performance on the day was excellent with both the pipe corps and the drum corps struggling to find fault and this was reflected in the adjudicators sheets at the end of the day.  The band now have a more local competition next weekend then a free weekend before heading off up to Inverness for the 3rd Championship of the season.

Grade 4 results: 1st - Kirkcudbright MacLellan, 2nd - East Kilbride, 3rd - Henderson Caledonian, 4th - Troon Blackrock. [Full Results ]

24th June 2007 - A bit of a blast in Ballymena!

East Kilbride Pipe Band returned home with yet more silverware from the recent British Pipe Band Championships held in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.  Although the bands' performance in the qualifier was not as well as expected, the band managed to regroup for the afternoon final and improved on the previous performance in a closely-fought top six.  In the end Moneygore won the grade, but with just 3 points separating the next 5 places and a 1st and 3rd place for piping, it was a little disappointing not to have finished further up the field given the standard of performance.  Nevertheless, this result has now put the band joint-top of the Champions Tables in Grade 4B for the 2007 season with the next Championship being held in Inverness at the end of July.

Grade 4B results: 1st - Moneygore, 2nd - Burntisland and District, 3rd - Dr. Wright Memorial, 4th - Bready Ulster Scots, 5th - Antrim, 6th - East Kilbride. [Full Results ]

3rd June 2007 - Best Corps of Drums and 2nd place at Shotts

Congratulations to the drum corps on winning the BCD prize at Shotts Highland Games!  The band performed well in the Grade 4 contest, although ended up loosing the fight for 1st place to Clydebank.  Having just half an hour between our Grade 4 performance and our Grade 3 slot was always going to prove difficult to maintain both instrument sound and quality of playing.  However, the band managed to keep things ticking over to put in another good performance with our Grade 4 set in the Grade 3 contest.  At the end of the day the band finished 9th and from the adjudicators sheets it is clear that we will need to start competing with our Grade 3 set if we want to make any impact in this grade.

The band now has a few weekends off from competing with both the Strathaven and the Armadale Gala's, before preparing for the long trip to Ballymena for the British Pipe Band Championships at the end of the month.

Grade 4 results: 1st - Clydebank, 2nd - East Kilbride, 3rd - Lanark & District, 4th - Denny & Dunipace. [Full Results ]

27th May 2007 - Bathgate win and Best Best Section prize!

Continuing from its recent championship success, East Kilbride Pipe Band competed at an unusually sunny Bathgate to secure another first place win, whilst also lifting the prize for "Best Bass Section" at the same time.  After a good run through in the Grade 4 contest, the band played up to Grade 3 for this first time this year, and managed a respectable 9th place out of 13 bands in the grade.  With the intention to play up to Grade 3 at all the remaining minor contests this year, the band hopes to improve on this result as the season goes on.

Grade 4 results: 1st - East Kilbride, 2nd - Glencorse, 3rd - Denny and Dunipace, 4th - Newtongrange. [Full Results ]

20th May 2007 - Major prize win at the Scottish Championships

Congratulations once again to all of the band for 2 solid performances at the Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Dumbarton yesterday.  Enduring heavy showers throughout the day, the band placed 3rd in the morning MAP qualifier, before narrowly missing out on 1st place in the Grade 4B final later in the afternoon.  Well done to all the other prize winners on the day.

Grade 4B results: 1st - Northern Constabulary, 2nd - East Kilbride, 3rd Badenoch and Strathspey, 4th - University of Bedfordshire, 5th - Denny and Dunipace, 6th - Fraserburgh RBL. [Full Results ]

13th May 2007 - Dunbar adds to the silverware

East Kilbride Pipe Band added to the silverware for the season with another first prize at Dunbar on Saturday.  Being first band on in a field of over twenty bands is never easy, and although not playing to their full potential, the band managed to win the day on a piping preference.  The band are now looking to learn from this outing in order to better prepare for the Scottish Championships to be held at Dumbarton next weekend.

Grade 4 results: 1st - East Kilbride, 2nd - Newtongrange, 3rd - Clydebank, 4th - Duns. [Full Results ]

6th May 2007 - First Prize at the Mull of Kintyre Championships

Congratulations to all members on winning the Grade 4 contest at the inaugural Mull of Kintyre pipe band championships held recently at Campbeltown.  Putting on a good, solid performance, the band braced blustery conditions to secure the top spot in this, the first outdoor contest of the 2007 season.  The band now have only one more contest in which to prepare for the first Major of the year - the Scottish - to be held at Dumbarton later this month.

Grade 4 results: 1st - East Kilbride, 2nd - Kintyre Schools N/J, 3rd - Troon Blackrock, 4th - Johnstone N/J. [Full Results ]

29th April 2007 - Bag-Packing and Rep Theatre thanks ...

East Kilbride Pipe Band would like to thank the staff and loyal customers of Wm Morrisons at the Stewartfield store in East Kilbride for their kind generosity displayed during a recent "bag-packing" event.  During the course of the day we managed to raise over £1200 which will go towards providing uniforms for some of the student members who have recently been promoted into the main band from our tuition scheme.  Once again the people of East Kilbride have demonstrated what a generous community we have within the town and it's surrounding areas.

Thanks must also be expressed to the local East Kilbride Rep Theatre who provided tickets for one of their recent productions at the theatre for the band to sell on.  This managed to raise in excess of  £100 for band funds and all those who bought tickets through the band thoroughly enjoyed the performance!

22nd April 2007 - Top honours at Peebles Mini Bands

East Kilbride Pipe Band made a great impression at the recent Lothian & Borders Mini Band contest held at Peebles High School.  Both the B and the A bands played really well on the day and finished first and second respectively.  As well as claiming the top band prizes, both bands split the individual corps honours with the A band placing first in drumming and the B band placing first in piping.  Everyone in the band is now looking forward to the start of the outdoor contest season at Campbeltown in two weeks time.

Grade 4 results: 1st - 1st - East Kilbride B, 2nd - East Kilbride A, 3rd - Stow B, 4th - Kinross & District B. [Full Results ]

15th April 2007 - Feeling on top of the world!

Members from East Kilbride Pipe Band recently completed an 11km walk to the top of Ben Lomond as part of a fundraiser to help get the band across to compete in the British Pipe Band Championships to be held in Ballymena later this year.

The weather on the day was fantastic which made the climb a little more bearable, and everyone in the group made it to the top ... eventually!  Sadly the view from the top was somewhat obscured by mist that never completely burned-off, but much to the delight of other walkers, we managed to muster enough breathe to get the pipes out at the summit!

Thanks must be expressed to all friends, family and work colleagues - some of whom joined us on the walk - for sponsoring us, helping us achieve our fundraising goal.

31st March 2007 - A strong start to the season!

The band started the competition season early this year by attending the recent Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway Branch indoor contest held at Annan Academy.  Although missing several players on the day, the band put in good, solid performance (with still plenty of room for improvement) and was delighted to receive a second prize for their effort.  This excellent contest proved to be a great opportunity to see how the band faired against the other bands in the grade prior to the start of the outdoor contest season, and also gave many of the new members (some of whom who had never competed before) a chance to get rid of their competition nerves.

Grade 4 results: 1st - Troon Blackrock, 2nd - East Kilbride, 3rd - Johnstone N/J, 4th - Irvine & District. [Full Results ]

24th March 2007 - New leading drummer announced

We are pleased to announce the official appointment of William Fraser as our new Leading Drummer, who recently took over from Colin Shanks.  William, who has been resident in South Africa for the past 24 years, brings with him a wealth of experience into the corps having played with several of the top grade bands  both in Scotland and in South Africa.

The band would like to take this opportunity to wish William all the very best in this new role and also thank Colin for all of his hard work, dedication and commitment that he has shown the band during his term as Leading Drummer.  Colin will now assume the position of Drum Sergeant, assisting William with the further development of the drum corps.

10th March 2007 - A big "thank-you" for a successful night!

We would just like to say thanks to everyone who attended our recent Ceilidh - from the feedback we received on the night it looks like everyone had a great time and enjoyed the not-so-traditional end to the evening!  On the night a new annual award was presented to the most improved player in the band, with Dougie McKinlay picking up this trophy for the first time.

Thanks must also be expressed to Anne Thomson for organising the excellent buffet and Derek Young for running the bar for us yet again, as well as those members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help make an event of this scale such a huge success.  Look out for some additions to the Media Gallery section over the coming weeks ...

10th February 2007 - New members help swell the ranks!

A recent influx of new pipers and drummers has helped boost the ranks of the band to now more than 40 playing members!  Joining the band are pipers Craig Herbert, Jim Galloway and John Feeney accompanied by drummers Eilidh Moyes, Lorna Macpherson, Morven Bruce and William Fraser.  Mhairi NicAmhlaidh and Sean Massie are now promoted from the tuition scheme into the ranks of the main band and 2007 also sees the return of a few faces from the past - drummers Kenny Roy, Ross Gunn, John Scott and piper Stewart Taylor have all played with the band previously.

Thanks must be expressed to both Mary Smith and Willie Laird who, although not joining the band to play, are providing tuition for the tenor and snare sections respectively.  Both Willie and Mary along with the other tutors from within the band, are helping shape the next generation of up-and-coming pipers and drummers for the band.

6th January 2007 - Ceilidh and Burns Evening tickets available

The EKPB Annual Ceilidh will this year be held on Friday 9th March at the Ballerup Hall, East Kilbride and tickets are now available priced £10 for adults and £5 for children - price includes buffet.  For further information and ticket sales please contact the band secretary or any member of the band.

As an additional fundraiser this year the band will also be hosting a Burns Evening on the night of Friday 2nd February.  Tickets for this event are limited and further details may be obtained from the band secretary.