Piping Stories: North Berwick Highland Games

The second Saturday in August each year sees the return of North Berwick’s 24^th annual highland games, and 15,000 attendants from near and far. Events taking place throughout the day consist of Heavy Weight competitions, Tug-of-War, and Highland Dancing. Not only do the games attract many visitors from around the globe, but also many competitors. The Pipe Band competitions consist of bands from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and South Africa – not forgetting North Berwick’s very own.

While main stage will be buzzing with traditional Scottish music and dancing, the sports arena will be alive with the groaning and grunting of the Heavy Weight competitions. Athletes will take part in six events, including Throwing the Hammer and Tossing the Caber. The competitor with the most points across all six will win.

And if you're in the area don't miss few local sights including Tantallon Castle, a fortress on the cliffs, was once home to the Douglas family for over 300 years. You can't miss the Bass Rock, home to over 150,000 seabirds, during peak breeding season, situated in the waters of the Firth of Forth. And you absolutely must climb North Berwick Law, perched 615 feet above sea level. Views of Edinburgh Castle, Queensferry Crossing, and the Lammermuirs Hills await you at the summit along with, strangely enough, the jaw bone once belonging to a whale. The jaw bone was erected in 1709 intended to be used as a landmark to guide sailors home safely.

The role of the Vice President is wide and varied, as one of the 3 directors responsible for the organisation of the NBHG (charity), I’am also a trustee, with that, comes the responsibility of:

1. Ensuring finances are properly managed and reported according to relevant accountancy practices and governing law.

2. Ensuring health and safety of all who attend the games is paramount, we take risk management and risk assessment extremely seriously. e.g. for the march downtown after the games we liaise with the police, East Lothian Council, inform residents and all stakeholders, including the Rotary club who help with car parking to ensure safety to the public and participants every year. This includes respective traffic orders to close roads, ensuring police and marshals know exactly what to do before, during and after the parade.

It all really began with the Rotary Club in North Berwick. Having joined the rotary some 20 years ago, I was approached to join the North Berwick pipe band, by the then Pipe Major (also a Rotarian). So my first stint with the NBHG was car parking duty with the Rotary Club, the club helps the games every year. I then mixed that in with piping with the North Berwick pipe band on the day as well. However, some 5 years ago I left the pipe band and "volunteered" (a Rotarian volunteered me!!) to help with the games and I'm still here today!

I'll endeavour to explain, it's a soup of favourites made from a recipe over many years. As a piper I've been to many a pipe band competition at Highland Games all over the place since I was around 8 years old. I think the Cowal Highland Games kicked it off for me when I was 12 or 13, in the mid 70s, the massed bands then marching with the band from the top of Dunoon down to the harbour (Craigmount High School Pipe Band), with hundreds lining the streets, cheering at either side was an experience that you either get or you don't, it's a feeling of extreme exhilaration, emotion and pride which hits through to the core of your body and you don't want to stop.

So my favourite parts are:

- Listening to the bands (from a pipers perspective).

- The sheer sound of the massed bands playing the chieftains salute.

- The march down the high street.

- Watching the crowds enjoying the spectacle.

Good question, I just wish I could give a precise answer. It's extremely hard work, when these games finish we are already thinking about next year. My perspective is more from a community/personal angle, I get involved for enjoyment, meeting people and watching them enjoy the event and as a Rotarian, it's also service to the community. It also enhances North Berwick's reputation throughout the world. I don't know exactly how much money the games bring to the local businesses, but it is considerable.

Tradition in terms of events within Highland Games, I think, will always be a core of Pipe Bands, Highland Dancing and Heavy Events. The tradition within piping events is always changing though, the technical playing, modern plastic reeds, Gore-Tex pipe bangs, new modern drum braces rather than old leather slings, so we do have modernity in tradition. Dancing and the heavies I don't think will change much though, especially in terms of the events themselves. Change to me in these events is about getting everyone involved and allowing those who haven't tried to give it a bash. This year we are introducing more athletics events and no-one is excluded, we are trying to promote all ages, all capabilities from beginner to experienced.

My first Highland Games was around 1970, my first North Berwick Highland Games was around 1999/2000.

No, I'm happy to listen to and watch, all grades of bands.

My mum and dad chose my first kilt when I was 8, I didn't have any say in the matter - Cameron Hunting Ancient.

Craigmount High School pipe band chose the next one, I didn't have any say in the matter - Thompson Hunting Ancient.

The British Army chose the next one, 71 Engineer Regiment Pipe Band - MacDonald of Keppoch.

Can you see the pattern emerging here?

North Berwick Pipe Band - MacKenzie Seaforth.

So I don't have one, I've worn a few. If someone asks me "what tartan should I wear?", my response is, "the one you like".