Huntly and District Pipe Band Drum major Derek Dean leads massed pipe bands at Gordon Castle Highland Games
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“IT’S good to be back” - the words of drum major Derek Dean as Huntly and District Pipe Band took part in the Gordon Castle Highland Games and Country Fair on Sunday.
This was the band’s first major outing in three years.
“We finished the season in 2019 and haven’t really been out since.
“We did an outing last year. Prince Charles hosted an event at Braemar in August and there were only two bands at it, ourselves and Lonach.
“Apart from the Armistice Day parade in November, this is our first event.
“Everybody is fair chuffed to be back and seeing people we haven’t seen in a while.”
It was great to see the massed bands at Fochabers, with Huntly joined by Dufftown and District, Portsoy, Gordonstoun, Strathisla, Aberlour and District, Banff Castle and the Gordon Highlanders Association Pipes and Drums.
Mr Dean led the bands in the main arena as they played for the large crowd.
“This is a cracking event. It is young in the time it has been going.
“The costs for the bands have increased now with fuel costs going up. At the end of the day we are a charity and are trying to make ends meet to buy uniforms and equipment.
“But we have a full season planned.”
