Page 43 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

members took part in various events, further showcas- ing the Band’s emerging talent and capability either during ‘Piping live’ either online or in person at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow. This included the Pipe Major performing at ‘The Masters’ and a visit to the Grampian Highland Games in Braemar - the only public games to be held in Scotland for 2 years – where, in the presence of the HRH Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay, the Pipey won the Strathspey & Reels and came 3rd in the marches. LCpl Waugh and Tpr MacDonell went to Inverness to play the SCOTS DG charity North Coast 500 cycling team across the finish line after 7 gruelling days.
The pace of rehearsals ramped up and the programme was finalised for Beating to Quarters; we were fortu- nate enough to use the Scottish and Northern Irish Yeomanry (SNIY) Employer’s Engagement even- ing to test and adjust the format and all the feedback showed we were in a good place for the jewel in the Crown of the year’s performances: SCOTS DG 50. It’s at this point we would like to thank our paired reserve unit, the SNIY, for the support and involvement of their Pipers and Drummers for participating with us throughout the year.
Towards the end of August, Pipe Major Duncan was informed he was to get the axe... to be clear, the Pipey won the biggest prize of the day in Fort William at the Lochaber Gathering, the Lochaber Gold Axe, as well as winning the 6/8 March, also coming 2nd in the
Open Hornpipe & Jig and 3rd in the MSR (Lochaber Gold Medal).
September would see the culmination of the summer’s labours come together: SCOTS DG 50. A packed pro- gramme for the Pipe Band started with a miniband playing for a special dinner of past and current officers with the Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, HRH The Duke of Kent, before leading the regiment and wider regimen- tal family on parade in the Capital, marching from the Castle to Holyrood Palace for a service of thanksgiving, 50 years on from the Regiment’s formation. In front of the Deputy Colonel and sadly without HM The Queen present, the Band played Amazing Grace, a rather poignant ‘Golden Thread’ linking the serving regi- ment to all those who went before us, many of whom were also on parade with the Association. This was quickly followed in the evening, back in Leuchars by a performance of Beating to Quarters for all ranks and guests outside the Officer’s Mess, a superb Highland Games, including the presentation to the outgoing Colonel of Regiment, Brigadier Allfrey of his own pipe tune. Finally, we could let our hair down and enjoy the
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