Maybole Pipe Band has traveled extensibly within Scotland, Britain, Europe and once to the Middle East. Our purpose is to provide a traditional Scottish Pipe Band for everyone, our pride of our own culture creates an interest in others that we love to share and learn from.

Our overseas travel started back in 1984 when we were invited by the local Town Twinning committee to participate at their events home and abroad, Crosne in France being the original. Pipe Major Jim Sym undertook the first trip and each year after the Band accompanied him. These weekends away were the highlights of the year as we experienced and shared cultures. The band members we hosted by the citizens of the town and we would play at official ceremonies and in the long carnival on the Sunday. We followed this yearly trip in 1988 to Schotten in Germany where we played at official events and in the halls during the evening festivities.

In 1994 we made our way to Koblenz in western Germany through an invite from an English twinning association. During the weeklong stay we play at 3 Carnivals to celebrate Rosenmontag. In the past we traveled by minibus, however cheaper flight prices mean we can fly and reduce the time from 24 hours to about 4 hours. These trips to France and Germany have created great friendships and during the year it is not unusual to have these friendships strengthened by visits to Scotland from our hosts.

In 1997 we were invited by the Dubai Caledonian Society to play at their St Andrews night. This was an unbelievable experience for the 5 bandsmen concerned. Accommodation was different, we stayed in an hotel, but the hospitality was no different. We played in a few clubs in the city and in the Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza. What a night, dancing to the wee small hours, women in there finery gents in there highland regalia and the ceildh band Last Dram from Auchenshoogle, flown in like ourselves.

In 2000 we took part in the 45th International folk festival in Agrigento, Sicily. We played through the narrow streets and in the theatres of the towns and got a magnificent reception everywhere we went. On Tuesday the 5th February 2002, Maybole Pipe Band and 2 members of Aileen Robertson's School of Dance returned to the city of Agrigento to represent Scotland in the International Folklore Festival. The trip lasted a week and during the period we performed in street parades, open air concerts and on stage within theatres in the district.

We were also invited to represent Scotland in the Interceltica Festival in Northern Spain. This event took place over 10 days in July and August and yet again team up with the Dance group and performed in the largest Celtic Festival in Spain. The festival is attended by groups and Bands from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Great Britain, Brittany, Astoria and Galicia to name a few. This was a new destination for the Band and it is seen that the popularity of the band is recognized on a wider scale than previously thought. During the year though we will still be leading the Gala Days and entertaining the tourists in our local area as well as playing at events such as weddings, corporate entertainment, parades and various other functions that seek the bands attendance.

This is the great thing about the Band, the differing age groups and the common willingness and motivation to take our music nationally and internationally to represent a small town in South West Scotland and our Country. New members always have that feeling of pride and achievement when they first perform with the band and it never really wanes, but the feelings of pride intensify when performing in different nations. This is what the music does, it crosses boundaries and forms relationships and understanding of one another. 

The Band is available to play at any venue, home or abroad, for more information please contact us.

e-mail Maybole Pipe Band