The Invergordon Archive
No: 1222 Contributor: Joseph MacDonald Year: 1975
Invergordon Distillery Pipe BandLooking through some old records, etc. I came across the LP made by the Distillery Pipe Band and, as it matches the mural on the gable end of what used to be Boyd's shop, I thought it may be of some interest.
I knew a couple of guys in the band: Jocky MacDonald, J D Burgess and Rab Armstrong!
(The date of the picture is a guess - Site Admin.)
Picture added on 10 May 2009
Where was this photo taken? Does anyone know?
Added by Jillian B on 14 May 2009
Hi Jillian, it looks like the front of Castle Leod in Strathpeffer.
Added by Liz Taylor (nee Askew) on 15 May 2009
This picture was taken in the grounds of Castle Leod just outside Strathpeffer. I believe the Castle still belongs to the family of the Earl of Cromartie( different spelling to the Cromarty we all know).
Added by Duncan Murray on 15 May 2009
Thank you both. I knew I knew where it was, I just couldn't for the life of me place it!! Cheers, Jillian.
Added by Jillian B on 19 May 2009
I have a tape of the Invergordon Distillery Pipe Band - but - Alas! I do not know what tunes are played on all tracks of side one and side two.
Can Anyone help me, perhaps Joseph MacDonald who contributed the Lp cover photo? I'd be very grateful.
Can Anyone help me, perhaps Joseph MacDonald who contributed the Lp cover photo? I'd be very grateful.
Added by Stewart Sudlow on 02 August 2009
The album is called "Pipes in Concert" issued in 1966 on the Waverley label which is owned by EMI Records. The record number is ZLP 2078.
The tracks are as follows:-
Side One
1. Three Marches: Frank Thompson, John Gordon of Drummuie, General Collingwood's Farewell to Scottish Command
2. March, Strathspey & Reel: Jimmy Young, Tulloch Castle, Broadford Bay
3. Drum Fanfare: Salute to Max Rayne
4. Gaelic Air & Two Jigs : Loch Broom Bay, Butterfingers Jig, Herring Wife
5. Piobaireacd: The Old Woman’s Lullaby
Side Two
1. Three 6/8 Marches: Mrs. Lily Christie, Banks of the Farrar, General Montgomery
2. Marches: Hichirum, The Wee Man From Uist
Strathspeys: Campbeltown Kilty Ball, Donaldbane, Sporting Jamie
Reels: Daldownies Reel, Marry Me Now, Miss Stewart, Willie Davie
3. Gaelic Air & Three Jigs: The Waters of Kylesku, The Goose in the Bog, Mary Horne’s Jig, The Maid on the Green
4. Two Hornpipes: Tam Bain’s Lum, The Four Courts
5. March, Strathspey and Reel: Braes of Badenoch, Bogan Lochan, The Sheepwife
This LP was also released in the U.S.A. possibly on the Peters International Record label using the same cover as the Waverley record and the same track listing.
The tracks are as follows:-
Side One
1. Three Marches: Frank Thompson, John Gordon of Drummuie, General Collingwood's Farewell to Scottish Command
2. March, Strathspey & Reel: Jimmy Young, Tulloch Castle, Broadford Bay
3. Drum Fanfare: Salute to Max Rayne
4. Gaelic Air & Two Jigs : Loch Broom Bay, Butterfingers Jig, Herring Wife
5. Piobaireacd: The Old Woman’s Lullaby
Side Two
1. Three 6/8 Marches: Mrs. Lily Christie, Banks of the Farrar, General Montgomery
2. Marches: Hichirum, The Wee Man From Uist
Strathspeys: Campbeltown Kilty Ball, Donaldbane, Sporting Jamie
Reels: Daldownies Reel, Marry Me Now, Miss Stewart, Willie Davie
3. Gaelic Air & Three Jigs: The Waters of Kylesku, The Goose in the Bog, Mary Horne’s Jig, The Maid on the Green
4. Two Hornpipes: Tam Bain’s Lum, The Four Courts
5. March, Strathspey and Reel: Braes of Badenoch, Bogan Lochan, The Sheepwife
This LP was also released in the U.S.A. possibly on the Peters International Record label using the same cover as the Waverley record and the same track listing.
Added by Alan Kinghorn on 04 November 2009
I remember Rab Armstrong and of course J D Burgess, and Jock the piper. Used to work with them, a great memory, also Hughie ‘Drones’ Mckenzie.
Added by David Gow on 08 February 2010
I still have the original LP of the above, one of my treasured possessions, given to me by my Dad Tom Mackay who is part of the drum corps (as you look at the photo second drummer in from the right).
Added by Andy Mackay on 30 August 2010
I think my brother has got that wrong; my dad Tom Mackay is the drummer at the back in row three.
Added by A Mackay on 07 February 2012
Third from the left is Pipe Major Trevor Dear, who later went on to become Pipe Major Trevor Dear of Dingwall British Legion Pipe Band who led the band from grade 4 to grade 1 over a period of 4 years and the drum core coming one quarter point behind Shotts.
Anonymous comment added on 08 July 2012
I have this LP and I am very proud of it being an old Invergordonian.
Added by Rosalie Graham (Samaroo) on 10 July 2012
Hi Rosalie, I also have that LP. Helen Angus nee Ross my lifelong friend was married to the late Roland Angus who was one of the pipers. I met your sister Jeanette when I was up in Invergordon last August.
Added by Janet Shoosmith (Macpherson) on 11 July 2012
Hi Janet, it's good to see your name here and for your comments. I'm sure you enjoyed your visit to Inverg. I love going home and especially to see my sister. I met a family from Dingwall last week and we were blethering away as if we had known each other for years. We had recognised the accent!! Fantastic!! Hope you and your family are well. This is a great site.
Added by Rosalie Graham (Samaroo) on 13 July 2012
This band was formed from some of the top musicians in the country. I think their first major competition outing was the World Championships at Forfar in 1964.
Third from the left Trevor Dear, had been pipe sergeant, then took over as pipe major of Forfar Burgh Pipe Band in 1961. Our first contest, under his management, was the British (I think) champs at Markinch Fife. By this time we were Grade1, and we came third, beating even the Edinburgh City Police who were tops at the time. Then he was asked to join the Distillery band, taking a day job with them. Unfortunately, the Forfar band then went downhill after that, with some of us leaving to go out into the bigger world. I was a side drummer initially, then changed to tenor. So I've known Trevor since 1954 and was treated very well by his family and wife Nora. He is now a regular piping judge and can be seen at all the majors.
Third from the left Trevor Dear, had been pipe sergeant, then took over as pipe major of Forfar Burgh Pipe Band in 1961. Our first contest, under his management, was the British (I think) champs at Markinch Fife. By this time we were Grade1, and we came third, beating even the Edinburgh City Police who were tops at the time. Then he was asked to join the Distillery band, taking a day job with them. Unfortunately, the Forfar band then went downhill after that, with some of us leaving to go out into the bigger world. I was a side drummer initially, then changed to tenor. So I've known Trevor since 1954 and was treated very well by his family and wife Nora. He is now a regular piping judge and can be seen at all the majors.
Added by Bill/Willie Johnston on 15 July 2013
If anyone is looking for a copy of the 8 track, there is one on eBay
Added by Teresa on 21 June 2022