History of the Association and its Pipe Band

The Gordon Highlanders Regimental Association was instituted in 1930 and aims to foster esprit de corps and keep alive reunions and meetings of comradeship between officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and the men of The Gordon Highlanders Regiment. The primary role of the Regimental Association is welfare and, in particular, it offers assistance to members of the Regiment who have fallen on hard times. 

The Regimental Association also supports widows and children of Gordon Highlanders and ensures that pensioners and veterans of the Regiment are well cared for. The Regimental Association is run by a board of Trustees with the current Regimental Secretary being Major GA Irvine-Fortescue DL who supports the Trustees in achieving these aims.

The Gordon Highlanders Association Drums and Pipes pipe band was officially formed in Aberdeen in 1997 with Bill Blacklaw the driving force and the Pipe Band’s first Chairman. Gordon Morrison was the first Pipe Major. 

However, for several years before the pipe band was formalised, approximately 7 or 8 pipers would play at Regimental functions. One of the Band’s first duties was to play at the opening of the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen by HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, on the 7^th April 1997. 

In 2006, after the retiral of Pipe Major Gordon Morrison, Robert Aitken was asked to take on the role of Pipe Major and the Constitution of the Pipe Band was drawn up and agreed. 

Practices started, and have continued, in the magnificent surroundings of the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Viewfield Road, Aberdeen which is the former home of Scottish artist Sir George Reid. 

In 2012 after Robert Aitken’s retiral, Pipe Major George Neish, who had already been playing with the Pipe Band, agreed to take over this post. The Pipe Band's Honorary President is Lt General Sir Peter Graham and Honorary Vice President (Drum Major) is  David Rae.

The Pipe Band had increased its membership and continues to recruit, welcoming pipers and drummers from all walks of life to come along and meet us at any time.

                              Many original  members of the pipe Band band at formation in 1997 are here (Bill Blacklaw, right)