WEETSHistory
Camelon Pipe Band was founded just before the First World War.
On 22 May 1915 a train carrying the 7th Battalion of Royal Scots left Larbert Station. At Quintinshill, near Carlisle it was involved in the worst train crash ever to occur in the UK. Of the 182 troops who died many were pipers and drummers. Those members who had lost their lives were replaced by members of Camelon Pipe Band. It was then that the Pipe Band adopted the McKenzie tartan (as worn by the Battalion), the tartan still proudly worn by the band today.
With a lack of members the band sadly disbanded in 1957. The band remained in this state until 1980 when Hugh Lindsay, Robert Wallace and a few others set about re establishing the band under Pipe Major Hugh Wilson. With no funds, uniform or instruments, they sold 200 tickets at £1/ticket to anyone interested in becoming "an associated member" of the Band! Co-incidentally, Mariner's Day was also re-started that year. Camelon Pipe Band marched in the parade wearing their ordinary clothes and using second-hand drums bought from Bo'ness Pipe Band. Sadly, in the 30 years since, both Robert and Hugh have passed on, but their memory remains, and the band that they founded remains strong.
Like most bands Camelon would have ups and downs. Success would come under Pipe Major George McNeill and Leading Drummer Jim White in the 1990's winning several championships and gaining promotion.
This was closely followed by another lean spell from the late 1990's where the band lost numerous players once again and never competed again until 2006.
After 2006, the Pipe Band once again competed, under Blair Chapburn and Stuart Hay. Then, under Pipe Major Gary Nimmo and Lead Drummer Jason Lafferty we won promotion to grade 4A in 2010.
In the summer of 2012, Gary left the band to pursue other opportunities. At this point, Pipe Major Duncan Drew returned to lead the band, ably assisted by Jimmy "Stix" Moore. They look forward to taking the band forward to a new competition season.