1990's    Following downgrading to Grade 4 in 1991 a concerted effort saw the Band promoted again to Grade 3 in 1993 after a 3rd placing in the World Championships and the drummers taking the European Championships. 
 

During the 1990's the Pipe Band were invited to a number of functions out with the area and have always been great ambassadors for Mid Argyll.  In 1992 the Band visited Hirschau in Bavaria as guests of the Hirschau Brass Band.  Links had already been forged with this area through the Council's twinning arrangements and in both 1987 and 1993 the Hirschau Band visited Mid Argyll as guests of the MAPB.
Mid Argyll Pipe Band in Europe

Rod Buchanan became Pipe Major in 1995 and took the Band that year to 'The Biggest Pipe Band in the World' parade in Edinburgh.  In 1997 and 1998 the Band was invited to the Golowan Festival in Penzance which proved to be a great success with the Band returning again in 2003, 2005 and 2007, forging a great relationship with the Festival and the people of Penzance.

 

In 1999, Arthur Gillies, the former Gold medallist and who had been assisting and playing with the Band (and was briefly pipe major from November 1999 to October 2000) managed to arrange a trip to the Getxo Festival near Bilbao, Spain.

 

 Somerled Performers
   
2000's    2004 was an important year for the band in two significant ways.  Firstly the 'focus on youth' policy of the previous two years saw the recruitment of 5 talented and committed young pipers into the band.  For the first time in over a decade the band had critical mass and could plan ahead.  Allied to this Angus Maitland offered to sponsor the Band thereby ensuring we could re-equip, run training workshops and offer different and exciting opportunities for Band performances.
Angus, a former piper with the Band having been taught by PM Neil Crawford, is now Chairman of The Maitland Consultancy.  His sponsorship was marked by presenting him with an original pipe tune 'Angus Maitland' especially written by
PM Tony Higgins.

The Bass Drum

 

2005 also saw the band performing at the 5th Sychrov Highland Games in the Czech Republic where we met the Polish Częstochowa Pipes and Drums.  This friendship developed over the next two years with the two bands joining ranks to perform at the 16th International Military Bands Festival, in Krakow in 2006,  the Polish band visited Mid Argyll in 2007 performing throughout the area and Mid Argyll visiting Częstochowa in 2008 for a tour of south east Poland.

2006 also saw Tony Higgins take over the role of Pipe Major.  With 2007 being the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the Band an ambitious programme of events was planned.  In addition to the visit of the Częstochowa musicians the Band started preparations for a concert repertoire of pipe band music performed with a modern slant.  After some deliberation the name Blackwood and Hickory was chosen for the sell out concert in Ardrishaig Pulbic Hall on 15th September 2007. 

Blackwood & Hickory Recording

 

The success of the concert and the whole 2007 anniversary programme led to the Band winning the prestigious Scots trad Music Award as Scottish Pipe Band of the Year for 2007 and the Blackwood & Hickory CD was released in August 2008.

 

The Mid Argyll Pipe Band has never had a large base of musicians to rely on.  Furthermore the Band has always had to rely on young players, many of whom leave the area when they leave school.  Despite this, with the dedication and commitment of players and committee alike, the Band has continued to keep going through times, both good and bad.  Particular credit must go to David Higgins MBE, President of the Band from 1990 until 2008.

 

 Rod Buchanan at CAVA

The AGM in November 2008 saw yet more changes in the ongoing life of the band.  David decided to stand down as president to be replaced by Rod Buchanan, former Pipe Major and still the leading tutor for young chanter players.  Tony stood down as PM with Iain Halliday elected as his replacement.  With a number of the younger members off to university or work, a rebuilding programme has been put in place with a new group of young musicians getting ready to carry on the proud traditions of the band.

 

With a number of young players in the band, several learning the drums and chanter, a dynamic concert show with Blackwood & Hickory, and a continuing relationship with the Częstochowa Pipes and Drums the future of the Band now looks more exciting than at any time in its long and illustrious history.

  

Piping Through the Years 

 

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