File:Northern Constabulary Pipe Band at Armed Forces Day 2015 Inverness Scotland (19480441545).jpg

Ready to roll - Drum Major Saul Rory Bruce (ACF) brings the Massed Bands forward to allow the reminder of the Armed Forces Parade to form up behind (quarter of an hour was about right - Step off of the Parade began precisely on time at 13.00 hours!)

ARMED FORCES DAY 2015: Northern Constabulary Community Pipe Band (NorCon PB) was delighted to be asked to participate in the Inverness Armed Forces Day Parade through the City of Inverness on Saturday 4th July 2015.

Fresh from performing at a Police event at Police HQ in Inverness, the Band was delighted that the forecast rain remained at bay as the Parade formed up in Falcon Square Inverness. The Band was extremely grateful to the MacBraynes Circle who kindly provided their vintage Bedford bus to transport personnel and equipment to the City Centre from Police HQ.

The Pipe Bands participating in the Parade were:

- NorCon PB (Acting Pipe Major Angela MacRae, Drum Major Bob Walker, Tartan = Scottish National Modern),

- Inverness Royal British Legion (Pipe Major Gordon Straube, Drum Major Billy Coyne , Tartan = Royal Stewart) and

- 1 Highlanders Army Cadet Force (ACF) pipes & drums (Adult Pipe Major Kirsty Campbell, Drum Major Saul Saul Rory Bruce, Tartan = ACF Tartan).

D/M Bruce (ACF) was Lead Drum Major, and the assured and capable manner in which he carried out his duties in respect of leading and directing the Massed Bands belied his youth.

The Bands made an impressively stirring and colourful sight as they led the parade of Association Standards, serving and former military personnel and Cadets through the City Centre streets, then via Ness Walk along the West Bank of the River Ness opposite The Castle. Thereafter it was on past St Andrews Cathedral to the Bishop’s Palace, before entering Northern Meeting Park where a service and afternoon of public entertainment was held to honour past and present service-men and -women.

Those members of NorCon PB with connection to the Armed Forces were proud to be able to wear medals and regimental insignia or headwear as a mark of respect, which explains the various headgear and badges in the ranks of the Band on this special occasion.

Despite the threatening weather, the parade managed to avoid the rain throughout. Indeed as the afternoon progressed so the weather continually improved and by the conclusion of the event it had turned very warm and sunny. It is unfortunate that the dark skies perhaps deterred many potential spectators from attending such a great and colourful spectacle – especially as the event was free of any admission charge. Hopefully the event – organised by Inverness Royal British Legion will be blessed with better weather next year – and a larger attendance too.