A much-loved and respected organisation in Forres is celebrating its 100th anniversary this month with a ceilidh in the Mosset Tavern.
Forres and District Pipe Band was formed in the 1920s by players who had served in the regular or territorial battalions of the Seaforth Highlanders.
In recent years they have travelled to Germany, where they played to locals in Forres’s twin city of Goslar and Vienenberg. They gained national and international recognition by regularly performing at the European Pipe Band Championships which was held in Forres for six years from 2013 to 2018, a major event it helped organise. And they played together with the City of Mount Dora Band when they visited Forres in 2023.
Seaforth tartan
Players wear the Seaforth Mackenzie kilt and crest, and the band a long history of community involvement, attending Highland Games around the area, Ardersier Gala and Remembrance Sunday. They are often seen at local events.
A spokesperson for the band told us: “The band’s highlights are playing in Germany, winning multiple Highland Games competitions, playing at the Highland Tattoo, competing in various competitions and at the Europeans. Playing with the Mount Dora Pipe band when they last visited Forres.”
“The band runs a strong tuition scheme and participating in local and regional events.”
“We are a registered charity and rely heavily on fundraising to support the band and help pay for our practice space and kit and uniforms.
Farthest travelled
“The farthest we have travelled in my time has been to Goslar and Vienenburg in Germany in 2022. We performed on stage and it was fantastic.
“The band currently has one bass, five tenors, seven drummers, a drum major and 12 pipers.
“We have 12 under 18’s with some playing members and some who are transitioning to the playing band.
“We practice every Sunday for three hours and we provide free tuition on a Sunday too depending on the instrument and availability.”
The ceilidh will be held at the Mosset Tavern on Friday 26 September at 7:30pm. Tickets are £12.50 and can be bought from the Mosset Tavern and Pearl’s Pet Care on Tolbooth Street.
