Dundee City Police Pipe Band was founded in 1905 when a group of piping devotees in the force received permission from the Chief Constable, David Dewar, to form a band. They had no uniform, funds or equipment other than the bagpipes owned by the individuals of this small group.      A number of fund-raising operations were put in hand, and the band members were soon to appear in their first uniform. This consisted of Glengarry Bonnets with Blackcock feather, dark Green tunics and kilts and plaids in Hunting Menzies tartan. This was a mark of respect for Chief Constable Dewar, whose family was a Sept of the Menzies clan. The Hunting Menzies tartan was worn till very recently, when for some unknown reason, the tartan was changed to some "chocolate box" invention.      Until the last few years, the band has had a very close association with the Scots Guards, as many members were recruited there. In 1937 it was decided to follow the Scots Guards style of uniform including Feather Bonnets, dark Blue doublets, waist belts, sporrans and spats - everything except the tartan changed. Tear Stained Dollars An interesting anecdote can be told about the uniforms.      In 1965, representation was made to the local authority for a grant to help purchase new uniforms. Superintendent "Herby" Lambert said,     "We made it because we felt we were the town band. One point made in support of the claim was that the kilts and plaids then being worn were the original garments purchased in 1908.      This item of news was picked up by the news agencies and flashed around the world.      Exiled Dundonians were touched when they read about the "ragged" police pipe band and many a tear drenched dollar arrived on the Chief Constables desk from far away places. The band got their new uniforms." The Revival      Dundee Police Pipe Band went into the doldrums when they lost there Pipers, with army experience, as they retired and were not replaced. The band disappeared from the competing world due to this, but were kept alive due to the actions of strong willed members such as Superintendent Herbert "Herby" Lambert, and later relied strongly on the steely resolve of Stewart Harris. Stewart later became Chief Superintendent in Dundee with special responsibility for the Band.      In 1968/69 Pipe Major Peter Maynard retired and it was "Herby" who discovered that Ron McKay, a Glaswegian by birth, living in Arbroath and working in Forfar, and a Pipe Major, was looking for a band. Here was an answer to the problems. Ron became a special constable and qualified to join the band.      Pipe Major Ron McKay soon brought in others along with Jimmy Mills, a well known and active local drummer.

After five years of recruiting and working, Pipe Major Ron McKay has rebuilt the Police Band. On the playing side, Ron was the man responsible for the revival. But who is he? Ron took up the pipes at the age of nine and says, "I don't really know what started me playing the bagpipes, I think I just drifted into it. One or two of my relatives played and in particular, an uncle of my mother".      "When I left school, I served my apprenticeship with a well known Glasgow Pipe-maker. In time I became a member of the 277 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders RA, Territorial Army Pipe Band and in 1962 won the World Championships with them."

TAYSIDE POLICE PIPE BAND DISAPPEAR Suddenly, and immediately following their performance in Grade One at this years World Championships, Tayside Police Pipe Band have decided to disappear into oblivion. This band has a long history dating back to 1905 and has a background full of service  to the Dundee community with a number of honorable members during that time.          In it's past, the band has seen success and this is not the first time that it has gone down to a very low level. The Band having been in virtual hibernation, but still surviving, the Chief Constable in the late 1960's pulled out the stops and brought in a new Pipe Major in Ron Mackay who was given the task of reviving the band and making it a competitive unit with visible local ties. This was done with the arrival of new Police and Fire Brigade members. The only early flaw was when they were placed in Grade 2, when Grade 3 might have served their purpose better at this early stage.                   Personally, I would be saddened if they simply rolled over at this stage and would hope that some of the old guard come out of the background and take charge. There has to be people still there who are able to get back to basics at perhaps a lesser level. Finish now and you might not be able to get going again!