History of The Atholl Highlanders

 

A History of The Band

Founded in 1981,the band has 25 members and typically fields 15 pipers and drummers for an event.
In 1983 at the Stone Mountain Highland Games, Lord Murray, 10th Duke of Atholl, granted the band permission to wear the Murray of Atholl District tartan and to be his unit in the States.

Sadly, "Wee Ian", the 10th Duke , passed away February 27, 1996. The 11th Duke, John Murray, has given us permission to continue carrying the name and wearing the tartan.

We carry sponsorship from Clan Murray Society of North America and are proud to represent them in name and tartan.

Since 1981, the Atholl Highlanders have entertained thousands, from Peachtree Street to Gatlinburg, from Edinburgh to Killiecrankie, from Watkinsville to Montgomery. We have a simple goal, to play the Pipes and Drums.

We are a competition winner but our aim is to perform and entertain. We seek to bring the music, culture and the drama of the Highlands and Celtic Lands to as many as possible.

Our Band is proud to wear the Tartan of Murray of Atholl and for historic connections back to Culloden and Beyond. We also share a common bond with the Scottish Atholl Highlanders , Our Parent Band, and our sister-band the The Murray Pipes & Drums of Gothenburg, Sweden.

We're the first Pipe Band to appear at the Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXXIV with Faith Hill) and have sent band members to Edinburgh for the 2000 Marie Curie Cancer Care March of 9,000 Pipers and Drummers. We returned in 2005 to officially break the record.

 

The Pipe Major (AKA: PM, P.M., P/M or "Pipey") , in our Band is elected by members of the band. The "Pipey" is Leader of the band musically and Leader of the pipers in general. He/She is also the CEO in our band. The PM is responsible for music selection, performance, practices and record keeping.

Pipe Majors of the Atholl Highlanders  
Dave Brown
Band Founder		 1981 - 1983
Chuck Calmbacher 1983 - 1988
Berkeley Strobel 1989 - 1999
Evan Kohler-Camp 1999 - Present

 

Drum Majors (AKA: DM, D.M., D/M or "Drummie"), in our Band, are appointed by the Pipe Major. Many bands play without a Drum Major or "Drummie" as they are called. The Drummie leads the band on parade. He/She co-ordinates with the PM.

Drum Majors  
Paul Braman 1981 - 1984
John Rodgers dates
Bob Harlan dates
Don Bogue 1996 - Present
Ron Volz 2006 - Present
Ben Linton aka 'Ben Mor' 2009 - Present

 

The Band Toast

"Here's Tae us,

Who's Like us?

Damn Few,

And They're all deid!"

("and mare's the pity" is often added)

 

Athole Gathering ( Gallant Murray )

Note: Athole is the auld (old) spelling for the region of Atholl.



Chorus:
Wha will ride wi' gallant Murray?
Wha will ride wi' Geordie's sel'?
He's the floow'r o' a' Glenisla
And the Darlin' o' Dunkel'
See the white rose in his bonnet
See his banner o'er the Tay
His guid sword' he now has drawn it
And he's flung the sheath away



Every faithful Murray follows
First of Heroes! Best of men
Every true and trusty Stewart
Blythely leaves his native glen
Athole lads are lads of honour
Westland rogues are rebels a'
When we come within their border
We may gaur the Campbells claw

(Chorus)


 Menzies, he's our friend and brother
Gask and Strowan are nae slack
Noble Perth has ta'en the field
And a' the Drummonds at his back
Let us ride wi' gallant Murray
Let us fight for Cherlie's crown
From the right we'll never sinder
Till we bring the tyrants down

(Chorus)

MacKintosh, the gallant soldier
Wi' the Grahams and Gordons gay
They have ta'en the field of honour
Spite of all their chiefs could say
Point the musket, bend the rapier
Shift the brogue for lowland shoe
Scour the dirk and face the danger
MacKintosh has all to do

From the book "Ancient Jacobite Relics II" by Hogg
Can be heard on Tannahill Weavers Album " St.Kilda Wedding" and Andy M.Stewart's "Donegal Rain"

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