Pipers given marching orders after its 'too noisy' rehearsals

Published on Tuesday 7 July 2009 22:04

IT IS A sound which has stirred the hearts of Scots for centuries. As much a part of Scottish tradition as the kilt and haggis and Rabbie Burns, the skirl of the pipes has become ingrained in Scotland's culture and the affections of its people.

But yesterday it was revealed that a solitary resident in the Aberdeenshire village of Newtonhill has forced the community's pipe band to beat a hasty retreat from practising outdoors on balmy summer evenings because she objects to the noise they are making.

The Newtonhill pipe band, composed mainly of teenagers in the village, has been given its marching orders from al fresco rehearsals at the local primary school after one local villager complained to Aberdeenshire Council.

They have been told by council officials that their permit to use the school for band practice does not extend to the primary's grounds.

Domhnull McLennan, the band's pipe major, yesterday condemned the council's decision and warned that the band was ready to defy the ban.

"We have been practising outside on warm sunny evenings for about ten years without a single complaint – until now," he said.

"In summer the inside of the school can get oppressively hot and we need to practise outside because all of our functions are outside.

"And realistically, on a hot summer's evening, we will still practise outside. I don't see how we will have any choice but to defy the ban."

Local residents have pledged their support for the band on the website of the local village association.

But a spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said the band had never been permitted to practise outside the school.

He said: "The use of external areas is not permitted as this clearly causes a nuisance for neighbouring residents."