HUNTLY AND DISTRICT PIPE BAND’S ROYAL APPOINTMENT |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Sep 03 2008 at 2:14 PM |
On the 12th of August 2008 our band was invited to play at Balmoral castle as guests of her Majesty the Queen.
Thirty three members including 21 pipers and 12 drummers took part in the visit that came about as a result of a connection between the band’s oldest member, 89 year old Jimmy Horne and a member of the Royal Household at Balmoral. Jimmy’s niece Sheena Stuart a house keeper at Balmoral castle had been talking about Jimmy still playing, fit and well at his age and this attracted Royal interest.
Once the band had arrived and tuned up they smartly marched the 100 metres up the drive to perform in front of the Queen. Her Majesty was seated under an archway of the castle, accompanied by her granddaughters, the Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Drum Major Derek Dean introduced the band to the Queen and said that he hoped that the Queen had enjoyed the performance. The Queen was then introduced to Pipe Major Hamish Dean who took her to meet the band. She remarked that they all looked very smart and talked briefly to individual members along the way. She took a special interest in Jimmy Horne, shaking his hand and remarking on the connection between him and her Balmoral housekeeper. Jimmy was delighted to have met the Queen and could hardly believe that he had shaken the Queen’s hand.
The band was treated to afternoon tea in the castle restaurant before they left for home. On the journey to Huntly, Pipe Major Hamish Dean thanked the members for playing so well and for turning out looking very smart for this unique occasion.
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