Mount Dora Pipe Band will play alongside their twin town band during a one-day visit next week when they travel from Florida to Newtonmore, Inverness and Forres.
The pipes and drums from across the pond arrive on 3 August to play at the Newtonmore’s annual gathering. They will then spend a day touring the Highlands and will visit Forres on Sunday 6 August for a meal at the Mosset Tavern, where they will meet with Forres and District Pipe Band.
Mount Dora band member Joe McKie said: “Our band first learned of Forres through the twinning connection along with the Mount Dora landmark, Forres Park. Upon being invited to perform in Scotland for the first time, the band began researching other destinations.
“Unanimously, the band members voted to include Forres on their journey. I have followed the Forres Pipe Band after first connecting about 6 years ago and look forward to meeting the band.
“The gardens of Forres and the town’s attention to preserving natural beauty as well as the town’s walkability will surely remind visitors of similarities with their small, historic Florida town.
“The band is looking forward to pairing up with the Forres Pipe Band on 6 August. We are excited to not only visit Scotland and Forres to absorb the scenery and culture, but to be able to play with our contemporaries. We look forward to exchanging stories, music, and friendship with the band in Forres.”
Pleasure and honour
Doug McAllister, co-chair of Forres and District Pipe Band, said: “We welcome the opportunity to meet with our friends from across the pond. Our objectives are to promote the skills of playing traditional highland instruments in the Forres area and I am sure Mount Dora Pipes and Drums have similar ambitions in their territory.”
“It will be our pleasure and honour to host Mount Dora and to make this an event to enjoy and remember.”
The pipe band contacted Visit Forres to help them with their arrangements. Founder Marc Hindley said the VisitForres.scot website works internationally, and it’s nice to know the pipe band felt able to contact us directly.
“I’ve been chatting with some of the band families, and they’ve been so inspired by the new ‘Fantastic Forres’ book. They bought a copy and have asked me to bring some more on the day they visit.”
