Atholl Highlander Pipers

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The following tracks are from the extended play record Music of Scotland : Atholl Highlander Pipers (SR.4524.EP) released by Scottish Records of Aberdeen and Glasgow. The recordings were made in the ballroom of Blair Castle and the record release date is unknown although it is thought to be from the late 1950s. The band performs under Pipe-Major P. T. Wilkie.

The liner notes state:

The Atholl Highlander Pipers has been part of the Duke of Atholl’s army since it was formed in 1839. Since its inception the band has had Pipe-Majors who have all been famous figures in the world of piping Aneas Rose, Angus Macrae, Sandy Stewart and Pipe-Major Wilkie the present Pipe-Major. In recent years, most of the pipers have belonged to the Scottish Horse. At present are seven pipers in addition to the Pipe-Major. At one time between the wars, the strength of the band was sixteen pipers and eight drummers.

The pipers play at all important ceremonial occasions at Blair Castle. By tradition, after the Duke and his guests have dined the Pipe-Major plays _ first a quick march, three times round the table, a reel and a strathspey in the alcove outside the dining room and then a slow march, three times round the table. This is followed by request tunes before the Pipe-Major drinks a toast from a quaich of whisky. When distinguished guests are present, all available pipers take part.

Blair Castle, has a long tradition of music-making and Scottish Country and Highland dancing. It is, therefore, appropriate that one side of the record consists of favourite Atholl pipe tunes and the other of an eightsome reel – a dance which was devised by a former Duke of Atholl. Incidentally, a team of dancers from the Perth Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society danced a complete eightsome reel during the recording.

The photograph features Pipe Major Wilkie and Piper Macrae playing at Blair Castle.

The recording was produced by Douglas Gray.

See the Atholl Highlanders website and the dedicated Wikipedia page.

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Lady Dorothea Stewart Murrays’ Wedding March /

Composed by Aneas Rose.

The Atholl Slow March / The Atholl Highlanders’ March to Loch Katrine /

Composed by William Rose to commemorate the Athollmen’s march to the loch on the occassion of the opening of the water works constructed to serve the City of Glasgow.