Bettyhill and District Pipe Band

Charlie was instrumental in getting the Bettyhill and District Pipe Band up and running.  The inspiration behind this was Nanny Allen who was proprietor of the Farr Bay Inn.  Nanny’s husband James was an enthusiastic piper and together with the direction of Charlie they set about forming the Bettyhill and District Pipe Band.

 

There were enough pipers at that time but nobody could play the drums and the pipers needed their apprentices!!  With Nanny’s vivacious personality she managed to round up potential drummers, perhaps cajoled along by the odd free dram, and finally the band was complete.

 

 

In its early years the band was led by Drum Major Carol Ross and Pipe Major Charlie O’Brien.  Its founder members were pipers Shirley Mackay, Melness; Kenny Mackay and Allan MacDonald, Altnaharra; Alasdair, Richard and Allan Wilson Strathnaver; Shona Munro and Catherine Rudie, Bettyhill; Murdo Gordon, Bettyhill; Willie Mackay, Naver; James Allan, Bettyhill; Mabel Bannerman, Skelpick;  Ragnar Celli, Farr; Valerie and Carol-Anne Mackay, Strathy and Heather MacDonald, Portskerra.  On the bass drum was Andy Munro, Bettyhill and on the side drums were Fiona Gordon, Bettyhill; Billy Mackay, Bettyhill; Nikki Munro, Bettyhill; Julie Murray, Bettyhill; Michael Mackay, Swordly; Magnus Celli; Farr; Christian and Susan Rudie, Bettyhill and Nicholas and Lisa Macdonald, Bettyhill. 

 

 

Over the years the line up has changed and sadly last winter saw the retirement of the Pipe Major, Donnie Mackay, Helmsdale.  Over the years he never missed a practice despite driving all that distance even in the winter.  He was supported by Bettyhill’s Minister, John Wilson, whose drive and enthusiasm for the band kept it going, even as numbers steadily decreased.  With these two valued members of the band retired unfortunately the band had to cease leaving only Shona Munro, Eilidh Munro and Mabel Bannerman pipers, and Andy Munro, Ross McIntosh and Joan Brennan drummers with Lucy Drennan as Drum Major.  Hopefully they can build a resurgence of recruits over the next few years.  They are very proud of producing a band that hails from Mackay Country and would hate to see it disappear.