The Bands History

Our Band started life with 5 pipers getting together in the Scout Hut in Dreghorn, for a "wee blaw"; They were Robert Angus, Kenny Munro, Donnie Matheson, George McKeand and myself John Easdale.

After our practice, we often went to the Dreghorn Bowling Club for a small refreshment before going home. It was at one of these occasions that we all thought it would be a good idea to start a Band of our own.

Several local youngsters later joined us swelling our ranks and some parents helped along the way, added by some small Gala day engagements that gave us funds to purchase pieces of uniforms and equipment.

The Band became official in 1982, when we had our first AGM and we established a constitution that, although altered by subsequent AGM’s, has kept many of the original aspects of our formation, including free membership of our Band, all we look for is commitment.

Our mission statement is to provide free tuition to anyone who wishes to learn to play the bagpipes or drums up to competition standard.

The band was first named Dreghorn and Bourtreehill Pipe Band, which lasted for 20 years until 2002.

We changed our name to Irvine and District Pipe Band in 2002 and our Pipe Major – George McKeand – has led the Band since 1997. Our Band leads the parades of most local Galas and Fetes during the summer months, in particular, the Marymass Festival and we compete in pipe band competitions whenever possible.

If you know of anyone who would like to join us, then contact George McKeand 01294 214837 george_mckeand@omne.uk.net or
John Easdale 01294 212465 Jeasdale@aol.com

John W. Easdale, Pipe Sergeant

This is the Matheson Crest which the band have on our Glengarys.

The name MacLean is rendered in gaelic “MacGille Eoin” or “son of the servant of St. John”. The clan claims its descent from “Gilleathan Na Tuaidh”, of the royal house of Lorn. The Duart branch of the clan claim as their progenitor Lachlan Lubanach, son of Iain Dhu MacLean of Mull, and a direct descendent of Gillean.

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