A north-east pipe band celebrated their reunion yesterday with special performance at Fyvie Castle.
The Grampian Police Pipe Band were special guests as the grand fortress marked 30 years as a visitor attraction.
Formed in 1907 by a small group of police officers in Aberdeen, the band has since grown to cover the whole region and has played for The Queen and at a UEFA Champions League football final.
Last night band manager and retired officer Alex Simpson spoke of his pride at reuniting the group after a short break.
“We were delighted when we were asked to play at Fyvie Castle’s anniversary event,” Mr Simpson said.
“Over the last few years the band took a hiatus due to a lack of players however following a recruitment drive we now have a complement of 30 players and have started competing again.”
The band – who have all renewed a sponsorship deal with long-term partner the Balmoral Group – played two 30-minute sets on the Fyvie Castle lawn during the afternoon.
“We have a great breadth of talent in the band including our Pipe Major, Pamela Whyte, who is the first female pipe major in the band’s 109 year history,” Mr Simpson added. “Pamela, who is principal teacher of guidance at Fraserburgh Academy, is also a very talented solo piper.”
The band’s youngest member – 16-year-old Alford Academy pupil Lucy McLean – also took part in the celebrations. Mr Simpson described the side drummer as “undoubtedly a future pipe band star”.
Honorary band president, Superintendent George MacDonald, added: “Historically the police pipe band was always made up of police officers and members of police staff however over the decades, the number of playing police officers and staff has declined and so to keep bands such as ours going, civilian players were brought in.”
The National Trust for Scotland took charge of Fyvie Castle in 1984, and the grand doors were officially opened to the public two years later.
To mark the 30 year anniversary, a special pearl anniversary cake was cut, and a tree planting ceremony was held in the grounds.
