Monthly Meeting - "Out with the Old and In with the New"
Tuesday 9 January 2024
In a packed hall, with the fire lit for warmth against the chill, Anne rang the bell to ring in the new year and we all raised a fizzy ‘nosecco’ toast to 2024! We’ve been busy since December with our Silent Auction, Hopetoun House Christmas Fair, Try-a-Craft Day, Fintry Amateur Dramatics and our Christmas night out; and January is off to great start with many events already scheduled throughout the year! We’re attending The Forest Theatre Company in Gartmore for Sunshine on Leith, Stewarding at the Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon and the Glencoe Marathon Gathering as well as a summer afternoon tea. This year we have also launched a new craft group who will be meeting regularly to try new ideas and potentially do some fundraising …. more of this after our inaugural meeting on Tuesday 6 February! As Ruskie won the Federation Quiz last year we are also hosting and setting the quiz questions for this years’ event on 1 April.
Anne then introduced Scott Methven who was born in Gargunnock where he learned to pipe, and had an illustrious military career in the Argyll and Southern Highlanders before becoming the Sovereign’s Piper. His fond memories of his early days in the army vary from learning to make his own bed (!) to going to war in Kuwait at the young age of 17 (the first of 13 military campaigns) After leaving the army and getting married, Scott then joined the prison service and youth services which opened his eyes to the different paths people can take in their lives. He returned to the military and was fortunate to become Pipe Major after an operational posting to Afghanistan which was an horrific war, even when compared to WW1. In the military your primary role is as an infantryman which involves weapons rather than musical instruments so every musician also carries out active service. Joining the army is a rewarding career. Scott performed as Pipe Major of the Argyll and Southern highlanders until it was disbanded before being invited to have lunch with the Queen which turned out to be the interview for the Sovereign Piper job and resulted in living in Buckingham Palace and spending time each day with Her Majesty. As the 15th Sovereign’s Piper since 1843 (starting with Angus McKay for Queen Victoria) Scott played every morning at 9am on weekdays wherever the monarch is staying, and also at Trooping the Colour on the weekends. The Queen decided to award Scott the role as he was the only Piper she did not have to look up to! Following a windy day when piping in the garden, true-Scotsman Scott learned to wear something under his kilt (and how quick the Queen’s wit was!). He shared many stories of fun and witty comments with the Queen as Scott performed his usual role of “opening the door” for the Royal Party!
Scott brought along his different uniforms to show us what he wore on liaison duties with foreign dignitaries and their security teams along with the equerries involved as the Queen would hold meetings. Scott also managed the household teams and persevered at Windsor Castle with the tradition of drinking a glass of port at 11am each day (whether you want to or not!) Scott also showed us his kilts, including the Balmoral tartan which is an exclusive tartan and a beautiful (and expensive) item! The Sovereign’s Piper also wears a cap badge and Skean Dhu which belonged to John Brown. The Queen and the Duke were very thoughtful and caring of Scott and his children when they were facing a tough time as a family, including having muffins made for hospital staff (who didn’t believe where they came from!)
From starting out in Gargunnock to travelling on the private jet with the corgis with the Queen serving drinks, it has been an incredible journey. As ‘Pipes’ you have to play 4 tunes every morning, and not repeat them for 6 weeks which is tough but as a career it was a great experience for Scott and his family, although tearful at the end after resigning. The King now has his own Sovereign Piper, who continues to be a military secondee.
Scott then took up his pipes and played the Queen Elizabeth March and a slow air which were two of the Queens favourites along with a jig she enjoyed when at home at night which reminded her of happiest times of her life at ceilidhs in Scotland.
Anne thanked Scott for his stories and playing, before we all enjoyed a super supper of haggis neeps tatties and Liz Dykes famous onion sauce and the first raffle of 2024. The meeting closed with everyone singing Auld Lang Syne, accompanied by the Sovereign's Piper. Happy New Year!
Competitions:
Ginger Flavoured Item 1) Liz Black 2) Allison McLeod 3) Pamela Deans
Item with a Piper 1) Allison McLeod 2) Pamela Deans 3) Lesley Gentles
