North Berwick Pipe Band

© 2013-2024 North Berwick Pipe Band


North Berwick Pipe Band play at Galas, Parades, Concerts, etc. throughout the year, every year. The following Timeline picks out some of the significant dates during our existence. Just hover over the date for information. For a fuller history of the Band please check out our Resources Page.

TIMELINE

1740

Town Records show the employment of a Burgh piper.

Annual salary £5 Scots.

1744

The last recorded performance of the Burgh piper just before Culloden.

1884

Rumoured formation of the first North Berwick Pipe Band with local apprentice boys playing together.

1901

It is generally held that the band first came together in 1899 and took part in parades of the day, but 1901 was the official inauguration of the 1st (official) North Berwick Pipe Band. Led by Pipe Major William Hume.





This Band continued until the outbreak of the First World War.

1902

Confirmed appearances of NBPB at the coronation celebrations for King Edward VII and local parades for the Relief of Mafeking.

1932

North Berwick Scout Pipe Band formed to take part in forthcoming 1935 Jambouree in Copenhagen, Denmark.



This band continued until the outbreak of WWII.

1949

North Berwick Rover Scout Pipe Band reformed to take part in forthcoming 1950 Jambouree in Fredicia, Denmark.



This band continued until 1954.

1957

Formation of the current North Berwick Pipe Band. One of the first outings was playing at the Scout's Golden Jubilee Parade.


1974

- Last year of the initial North Berwick Pipe Band Contest

- Band presented with Burgh Coat of Arms cap badges by the Town Council.

1979

Burgh piper is revived by Band and continues during the summer months for 3 years.

1982

Band's 25th Anniversary celebrated with a dinner in the Marine Hotel, North Berwick.

1984

Band's 1st trip to New England, USA including performances at Quincy Market, Boston.

1988

Glasgow Garden Festival.

1990

Band's 2nd trip to New England, USA, including performances at Fort Ticonderoga.

1993

Game Fair, Gosford Estate.

1994

Band's 3rd and final trip to New England, USA, including performances at Fort Ticonderoga.

1996

First year of the current North Berwick Pipe Band Contest. This is a separate organisation from the Band, but Band members are involved.

2003

Band takes part in the Internationale Folklorelawine in Cottbus, Germany for the first time.

These annual trips continued virtually unbroken until the 2019 pandemic.

2006

Following an initial contact made in New York in 2002 NBPB joins with the De la Salle Scout pipe band from Waterford, Eire to take part in Pipefest in Edinburgh. This is the start of a link that continues to this day.

2007

One of the central bands in the Centenary Scout Pipe Band playing at Scout Founder’s Day, Dunfermline, Blair Atholl and the Festival Cavalcade in Edinburgh.

2009

- Playing to HRH The Queen in North Berwick.

- Taking part in parades around East Lothian  for the Year of the Homecoming.

2010

- Green Week Festival in Berlin.

- 20th Anniversary of Gemran Re-unification at Edinburgh Castle.

- St Ninian's Parade for the Pope's visit to Edinburgh.

2011

Band takes part in the Festival de Folclore Internacional Alto Minho in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.

2018

- Visit to Waterford, Eire for St. Patrick's Day parades.

- Band takes part in the Dance Festival in Cangas de Onís, Spain.

- Hops in the Garden with Fish.

2017

- Band's 60th Anniversary celebrated with a formal dinner at Edinburgh Castle.

- Band takes part in the Festival Intercélticu de Avilés y Comarca, Spain.

- Hops in the Garden with Fiona Kennedy. The previous year we had performed with Barbara Dickson.

1953

North Berwick Rover Scout Pipe Band continued until around 1954, one of the last outings being the Coronation Parade for Queen Elizabeth II.

1966

NBPB enters competition for the first time - Grade 4 at the Scottish in Edinburgh, the British at Renfrew, and at Lanark and Ayr.

2008

Visit to Waterford, Eire for St. Patrick's Day parades.

1969

Hosting a French Bagad Band from Vannes, Bretagne.

1967

Start of the original North Berwick Pipe Band Contest.

1972

Promoted to Grade 3 on the RSPBA Competition circuit.

2020

The Covid-19 Pandemic had a significant impact on the way we did things.

- More solo performances.

- Social Distancing criteria when playing in groups.

- Tution carried out through various social media platforms.

2022/23

A mixed couple of years celebrating the Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the sad passing of her Majesty and the Coronation of King Charles III.

Back to a full programme of galas, concerts and parades including Fringe by the Sea, Hops in the Garden and playing at Care Homes.