Girvan soldiers’ piping hot success.

Nov 25 2011 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THEY’VE done their town proud by serving in Afghanistan.

And now Girvan soldiers Brian Heriot, Ross McCrindle and Robert McCutcheon are to be honoured for their piping prowess.

The pipes and drums of the 1st Battallion Scots Guards (Brian and Ross’ regiment) has been shortlisted in the Pipe Band of the Year category of the MG Alba Scottish Traditional Music Awards.

The band, based in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, are all operational armoured infantry soldiers.

In June this year, the band saw a change in command when Pipe Major Brian handed over to Pipe Major Ross McCrindle.

Both men learned their talent from former South Ayrshire schools piping instructor Sue McIntyre.

Scots Guard drummer, Lance Sergeant Robert McCutcheon is also one of Girvan’s own.

Pipe Major McCrindle said: “This is a huge honour for both the pipes and drums and the entire regiment.

“We’ve had a really busy year and it’s nice to get some recognition from outside the army that you’re not resting on your laurels.

“We strive to be the best we can be, at home, abroad and on operations.

“When we’re abroad, the fact that we’re ambassadors for Scotland is always foremost in our minds.

“We hope that as many people as possible will vote for us.”

The award nomination is the culmination of an extremely busy and varied year.

Having returned from Afghanistan in late 2010, the band recorded their latest CD – From Helmand to Horse Guards – in January this year.

Since then, they have performed on the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour), the State Banquet in honour of the President of the United States of America, and the 2011 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The Pipes and Drums have also been busy outside the United Kingdom travelling on pipe band tours and military tattoos to Italy, Japan and twice to the United States.

This month, they were in the Remembrance Day parade at the cenotaph in London as well as playing in Buckingham Palace for the state banquet in honour of the President of Turkey.

Next year will again see the Pipes and Drums deploy in their military role to Helmand Province, Afghanistan as part of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards battle group.

Vote for them by logging onto www.scottishcultureonline.com