WEETSHistory
Camelon Pipe Band was founded just before the First World War.
On 22 May 1915 a train carrying the 17th 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. 30 years later Robert is sadly gone but not forgotten whilst Hugh still attends almost every band practice and engagement
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.
Gary took over as Pipe Major in 2008, and has led the band to great success, winning promotion to grade 4A in 2010. He remains committed to bringing Camelon success on the competition field once again.