We’re happy to announce that the Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band will be joining us for the New York City Tartan Day Parade 2020!
The Isle of Cumbrae, or Great Cumbrae is situated just off the West Coast of Scotland, easily accessible by a short 10 minute ferry ride from Largs, Ayrshire. It’s the larger of the two Cumbrae Islands at 4 miles long by 2.5 miles at it’s widest point. This might sound small but it makes it the 45th largest Scottish island out of 790!
The main and only town on the island is Millport with a population of about 1200, swelling to around 3000 in summer.
In 1999 the Millport branch of the Royal British Legion resolved to start a Pipe Band. This resulted in the Isle of Cumbrae Royal British Legion Scotland Pipe Band, with it still going strong today. With a playing corps of about 30, the band have represented the island throughout Scotland and Europe at festivals and events, notably being the lead Scottish band at the Lorient Interceltique Festival in Brittany, France – the largest celtic festival in the world. They have also been regularly invited to play at Balmoral Castle and the world famous Braemar Gathering before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Excitingly, for 2020 the band have determined to take part in the acclaimed Tartan Day parade in New York. Wearing their distinctive Isle of Cumbrae tartan they hope to bring their own take on the traditions of the Highland pipe band to the streets of Manhattan. Pipe Major David says “We hope that if you meet us you’ll take the time to say hi – we’re a pretty friendly bunch! Oh, and if you do speak to us, don’t forget to ask about the crocodile on our badge!”
We really look forward to officially welcoming you to the 2020 NYC Tartan Day Parade (and quizzing you about the mysterious croc….) We’ll see you in April!
