On Thursday 27th June, pipers, drummers, parents, pipe band managers, and instructors from past and current years at Lathallan School came together for a celebration of our incredible school pipe band, established in 1964.
To kick things off, an afternoon workshop helped everyone brush up on their piping and drumming skills while also learning two new 3/4’s celebratory tunes composed by current piping instructor Mr John Nevans as a tribute to PM Harry Stott and Mr Jock Clarke, the founding members of the Lathallan School Pipe Band.
There was a real sense of camaraderie and nostalgia among our band’s alumni while practising the tunes and marching outside Brotherton Castle.
A Touching Tribute to PM Harry Stott
A particularly poignant moment of the day was a visit to the graveyard in Johnshaven to honour PM Harry Stott. S6 pupil Ruaridh, the current Pipe Major of the band, was playing Harry Stott’s bagpipes during their visit to his graveside.
Current Lathallan School Piping Instructor, Mr John Nevan said:
“The pipes were given to Mr Stott after he gallantly stepped up to play the pipes and led soldiers in the Battle of Loos, during the First World War.
“Today in Johnshaven, we celebrate Stott’s work in creating this school band. I am very honoured to say that I’ve had the care of the band for 18 years which has been an absolute privilege.”
Performance in Johnshaven,
The band were greeted by crowds lining the street in Johnshaven as they performed at the Harbour, in front of Johnshaven Heritage Centre which currently has an exhibition on Mr Stott’s story.
Back at Lathallan, the evening featured delicious food, entertainment, and ceilidh dancing – a night of reconnecting and creating new memories.
The event also marked the retirement of the current Piping Instructor Mr Nevans. His colleague, our drumming instructor Mr Niven shared a wonderful reflection on his time working with John over the years:
“Although I’d never met John before joining Lathallan in 2008, I do remember seeing him as PM of his grade 1 band at the World Championships around 1996, an absolute whirlwind frenzy racing around the band, tearing into his pipers to pull them into shape before hitting the start line….fast forward a dozen years, what had I let myself in for!?!? Nothing to worry, as Lathallan has been blessed with a piping tutor of a kind, caring nature who has developed so many young pipers from their first time holding a chanter, to leading the front line of a band that has always more than pulled its weight within the school, and out in the wider world.
Pupils have been drawn out of themselves with a carefully constructed programme of exercises, the “big notes” of Highland Cathedral or Wee Will Rock You ready for their first Christmas Concert or Presentation Day before aiming higher for their first Remembrance Parade or Lathallan Highland Games. Several generations of Lathallan pupils have been involved in the local competition circuit, pushed to improve their technique and often gaining great feedback and beating the adult bands in the grade. The band managed to get to the European Championships in Forres, holding their own to the delight of a proud tutor.
Trips with the band have been a highlight of John’s time working with Lathallan. Visiting the North Cape of Norway, Glasgow Warriors rugby and an impromptu performance with a steel drum band. Over to Alden Biesen in Belgium for the Scottish Weekend – contacts made during the trip led to John and Piper Ali Sanger being invited to the Menin Gate Remembrance ceremony soon after. More recently, the RHCP concert at Caird Hall with an army of new junior pipers has been a massive highlight, followed by two Lathallan bands led out at the School Championships. Closer to home, Drumtochty, Nae Ordinary Burns Suppers, a CD recording, Montrose and Glamis parades have all been guided with a steady hand.
It’s been an honour working alongside John with his teaching and tutoring of pipers at all levels, and I hope I’ve picked up as many useful skills that will help Craig and I to keep the band up to the level we all expect of it. But, for now we can all say we wish John the very best in retirement, but the door is always open and we will see you back with us for a tune anytime!”.
Looking Ahead to the Future
We are proud to share that currently a quarter of our school roll, both juniors and seniors, participate in piping and drumming tuition.
Looking ahead, the Lathallan School Pipe Band is committed to keeping the tradition alive, inspiring young pipers and drummers, and sharing the stories of the heroes central to our band’s legacy.