Council bans pipe band from practising outdoors
move follows resident’s complaint
Published:
A SMALL north-east pipe band has been told by Aberdeenshire Council to stop practising outdoors after one complaint from a local resident.
Newtonhill Pipe Band, made up of six pipers and five drummers, has practised in the grounds of Newtonhill Primary School for more than a decade during the summer months.
Members said they were shocked to receive a letter from the council last week telling them not to practise outdoors.
Pipe Major Domhnull McLennan said: “We’re devastated and shocked, it’s totally bizarre.
“We had a letter from the council and last Thursday someone came up and said she would arrange to have us barred from the school if we continued to practise outside.”
Mr McLennan said that the closest house to the school was about 150 yards from where the band practised and they normally did so between 7pm and 9.30pm.
Pipe band secretary Lynn Low said: “I was shocked and amazed that on a warm summer evening anyone would object to hearing Scottish pipe band music wafting past.
“The lady was very abrupt and spoke sharply about getting us banned from the school.”
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “We have contacted the band to remind them that their permitted use of accommodation at Newtonhill School extends to the use of the school hall and music room only.
“The use of external areas is not permitted as this clearly causes a nuisance for neighbouring residents.”
The council confirmed that one complaint had been received this year. There had also been one complaint last year.
