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THE GIBRALTAR SEA SCOUTS
PIPE BAND
BUGLE of GOLD
An exclusive Independent Award Programme for Scout and Guide Music Sites
awarded by the Lincoln District Scout Band on 30th May 2004
THE BAND & TROOP ON PARADE IN 1953
The Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band has been in existence for over 90 years. It was started 1914 as a small band with five pipers a bass drummer and three drummers. Since then the Band has grown in strength and now comprises some 30 musicians with many young scouts already receiving tuition.
The first recorded outing as a band was in (1920) when it attended the World Jamboree held in the United Kingdom. Among its pipers it proudly records the name of Pipe Major Rob Roy, the legendary piper of Tobruk, who during his tour of duty on the Rock played with the band and tutored its members.
During their tour of duty in Gibraltar, members of the band of the Royal Irish Rangers spent many hours of their spare time tutoring the pipers and drummers of the Sea Scouts Pipe Band and without doubt the present standards of the band are due to their commitment. Even today, more than thirty years later there are still close contacts with their now retired musicians and in particular their Pipe Major Albert Price, who recently came over to Gibraltar to present the band with the Regiment’s new Brigade Music Book.
The band has performed in many festivals and events outside Gibraltar including Scotland where the band played at the Blair Atholl International Scout Jamborette. In Spain, playing for scouting events, the St.Patrick’s Day celebrations held by the Irish community of ex-patriots and the day of all Nations held in the Costa del Sol.
We have also played for a vast variety of events held in different municipalities in the surrounding area and in Asturias for the Celtic Festival, were the band is twined with the Pipes and Drums of Corvera.
The Band has also had the privilege of been invited to Morocco, to play for the King’s birthday celebrations.
Over these 90 years the band has played a prominent part in Gibraltar’s social calendar, participating in numerous events throughout the year. The band participates every year at the Three King’s Cavalcade held locally on the 5th January, and all Scouting events held during the Year. It also plays a prominent part in different community events held in Gibraltar.
The band has grown during the years due to the commitment of its members. Our musicians are all members of the Gibraltar Sea Scout Group and include Leaders and Assistants Leaders.The band continues to count with a substantial number of young scouts in its ranks and others that will be joining as full members as soon as they are ready.
In 1999 the band decided to change its uniform, from the traditional Sea Scout uniform to one comprising of a military style jacket & trousers, which became a success with both band members and members of the public.
This new Uniform greatly enhanced the appearance of the Band with a more modern and elegant attire that gave the Band a wider acclaim by Organisations within and outside Gibraltar. As a result requests for the band's attendance at different festivals and shows increased dramatically.
Ten years later the band opted for the more traditional pipe band uniform as seen in the picture below. The tartan being worn is the Flower Of Scotland Tartan.
Band with our new uniforms - April 2010
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