2007 news of Denny & Dunipace pipe band with mcleanscotland tour company of Perth Scotland

MOVE OVER, HERE COME THE WORLD CHAMPIONS!

Och aye, AND Champion of Champions!

DATES WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE BAND PLAYING in Scotland this year, come along and support them!

ANDY'S COLUMN 2007 Competitions and Major's in 2007 - all the news, gossip, plus photos. To be different this year, a few other people will be writing for us, so let's just see who gets most fan mail!

SEE SOME OF THE BAND MEMBERS ENJOYING THEMSELVES AT THE CLAN MACLEAN GATHERING, MCLEANSCOTLAND PRESENTED A 12 DAY COACH TOUR, SOME OF THE GUYS CAME TO EDINBURGH TO MEET THE PEOPLE AND PLAY, EAT AND DANCE WITH OUR GUESTS, SOME GREAT PICTURES HERE

Some earlier photographs taken at the rugby friendly games 2007 at Murrayfield Stadium Edinburgh.

The Murrayfield collection - our national rugby stadium, this page

a drink with the world champions! why not?

I will write the introduction for this (Paul McLean). The year for the band will start with three more excellent performances at the National Rugby stadium, Murrayfield. The band have been asked back to play again at Murrayfield for the home matches of the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament. Even better personally for me (Paul), the band have made me Band Manager! What can I say! I accept with pride and this is a huge honour they are giving me. Well, that's enough bragging, bring on the band! Oh aye, more thing I MUST mention, the band (or a section of them) will be playing for mcleanscotland in June this year, at the Clan Gathering tour for Clan Maclean. They will play at the hotel in our Scottish night and after playing, will stay and enjoy a meal and a drink with us, roll on June 15th. Down below are the three tv appearances and games the band played at, many photos are also here, we hope soon to bring you a full band line up for you all to download.

It was freezing and it was wet! There is a clue to the weather here in the photos, capes all round as the order of the day! The band were there at 11am as instructed but some numpty forgot to open the gates to allow our coach inside! Och well, we made it in eventually and met the other bands in the tunnel for the sound check. Why is Paul writing this you ask? Well, in their wisdom, the SRU decided on only two drum majors per game, poor old sod Andy was not one of the two so he stayed home in bed in Aberdeen. Whilst the rest of us were up at the crack of dawn and braved the wind, rain and chill to show ourselves to the crowds. Although there is much hanging aboot and a wee bit of boredom, eventually the band played to a fantastic reception and came off well pleased. You can see on the faces they enjoy what they do. So here's to the Italy game ... on you come lads waiting for a drumming (pun!) from the Scots.

Above; top left, marching on to the stadium pitch in front of the TV cameras (live) and 60 odd thousand people. Right Pipe Major Mark with a wee lassie from Murrayfield Julie Morris, also a piper! Bottom photos left, warm up session before going on live. Right, waiting for the big moment, in the Famous Grouse tent, well come on, it was warm in there! More to come at the Italy game, keep reading.

So where is Andy you may ask? Well he is taking a wee break, as his writing skills need recharging and er, he hasn't been to Murrayfield these past two games, but hey! He will be there as Drum Major for the Irish game - the best one, and our band will welcome in the Scottish Team Coach no less.

Well, the team lost, enough said! But the band on the other hand played brilliantly!

Above; Red Bull gives you wings! Ah, that's how Pigasus did it! Notice the tartan drum - cool!

With a sound check followed by two walk on rehearsals (why?) we decamped back to the coach. It wasn’t long before they were hungry and wandered off to the burger vans, er, Paul led the way I think. Between waiting for time to go and play again, members of the band variously ate and drank (tea mind!). Around 2pm Lead Drum Stuart took out the tartan drum I (Paul Mc) had brought and tried it out. This is a brilliant drum finished in tartan, he and most of the band really liked it. Where was the drum from you ask? A pal of Paul’s from Perth has a drum shop and he has the ability and know how to finish the drum this way, superb. I can’t say seen another tartan drum like it anywhere. So why?

Kevin from the Perth Drum Shop was so impressed with the band last year winning World Champions and Champion of Champions, he loaned the drum for a rare outing. It will be there again at Murrayfield on 10 March for the Irish game, lets hope it brings luck! There will be a piece about Kevin and this drum soon, so keep watching. Below; waiting in the tunnel for the sound check, Julie once again in charge!

Below; warming up those pipes! At least it was not raining this time! So where do the band warm and tune up? The car park!

So the band finally got ready to play in front of the crowd and TV cameras again, just about 2.45 in the tunnel, then sign came to march, on the four bands went ( aye only four today) and wowed the crowd again with great tunes. The only part the band dislike about the day is the hanging aboot between sound check and real playing. At least the weather was better today. They finished up and left the stadium, och come on, just once let the band stay to see the game please. Oh aye, nearly forgot, we also had a quick photo session with Red Bull. It gives you wings you know! That must be why our band mascot – Pigasus – can fly, he’s been at the Red Bull. And another thing, the band’s drums are blue and silver, and the kilts have red in them, same as Red Bull. Our final gig of this Rugby season (we think) is 10 March against the Irish, now I really want the Scots to win desperately, but see, if they can’t, I want the Irish to win. Why? Coz most of my family are from the Emerald Isle, so I am in a no win no lose situation eh. Bring em on! C’mon the Denny! Paul signing off.

Ireland beat us by ONE POINT! So near so far eh! SHOWN BELOW; THE BAND (WITH THE STRATHCLYDE POLICE) WAITING FOR THE SCOTTISH TEAM BUS. Bloomin windy! A wee bit chilly here for the camera man. See how we all leave the big man alone? Standin' there thinking how to be world champions again, two years in a row. The Grand daddy of the band (now run for cover Paul!)

photos above; top left, big man having someone dress him! right; c'mon dress y'sel! Well done Gav.

lower left; what we came for! right; nice headgear, lets start a new trend in pipers heed warmers!

It's four o'clock on Saturday morning! What am I doing? (ANDY)

What's that kit doing over there? Oh right! Murrayfield, home of Scottish rugby union and the Band are playing there. Breakfasted - loaded the car and off to Perth to pick up Paul. Duly get to Perth and telephone him to let him know I'm nearly there and hear him fall off the seat because I'm a wee bit early (like half an hour!) We arrive at Denny before the bus. This surprises Paul but not me! Why because the bus has to pick up drummers and they couldn't be on time if you paid them! (Now hoping the Lead Drummer doesn't read this page!) And off to Murrayfield. At least it's not freezing this time - just blowing a gale and that's not too bad because I'll be in full Dress uniform and a little warmer.We meet up with the other Bands for the sound check, making sure we don't go near the LOGOS! The SRFU are paranoid about anyone going near the sponsors logos prior to the Team mangling them!

Around eleven thirty ourselves and Strathclyde Police form up to play the team coach along the drive to where the Team disembark. BOY! Are they BIG! We carry on playing until the bus is empty then we just HAVE to pay a visit to the Famous Grouse hospitality tent. C'moan here! Someone has to and it may as well be us! Great fun in there with a lot of the visiting Irish fans partaking of a drink or two and listening to an excellent 'folk' Band. Had a good few Irish 'demanding' a photo with 'da Big Feller'! Good craic too!

photos above; left; the tartan drum with Stuart and Mark. right; drum again, its a great thing. lower left; scowl all you like, you still have to go on! right; going home we have a new coach driver, whilst Andy is deep in thought, probably wee white doves floating around in his head, ah, bless!

Then it's form up again to join the other Bands to march on for the opening ceremonies ..................will someone tell me what that ruddy great piece of field artillery is doing in the corner of the stadium. Some bright spark reckons it's to hit the Band playing worst!!! That's fine but I'M in the way! We arrive in the centre of the pitch playing well known tunes and play our part in the proceedings. All too quickly it's all over and we're marching off again. The gun fires, I duck and then they send the RAF at me as well! Honestly, I didn't think I was that bad!! Paul reckoned the Band were really smart and the whole thing was well received and we gained a large round of applause when we went off the park. That's the last of the Six Nations for this year although we have been asked to go back at the end of the year for the Rugby World Cup warm up games, so that's something to look forward to at the end of the season. The Band pass on their regards and good wishes to all the members of the DDPB Supporters Club. Must try and get a logo or car stickers or something on the go for that!

Slainté n'h'Alba

Drummy

PAUL WRITING THIS BIT; Himself again getting ready, a big woman! Well Andy is back writing again, you can tell the difference in styles eh! I am much more of a nice guy and use nicer words. So that's the rugby for now, but please stay in touch and keep reading.