Roadworks Allow Extra Pipe Band Practice In The Street

6th June 2007

Wick RBLS Pipe Band took advantage of the roadworks which caused the overnight closure of High Street outside the Pipe Band Hall to hold a practice prior to their visit to Germany. The practice provided an unexpected treat for a large group of German tourists staying overnight in the town.

The band is off to Germany next Wednesday night to visit their friends in the Bad Waldsee Pipe Band. The main event of their visit will be an International Tattoo featuring pipe bands and brass bands from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the Wick band will be the only one from Scotland. In addition to the Tattoo the band will also be playing at other venues including a beer mug museum.

The Wick band has a long association with the Highland Pipes and Drums of Waldsee and this will be the third time that the full band has visited southern Germany but there have also been a number of individual visits by band members. The German band has also made 3 official visits to Wick plus a number of informal visits.

Pipe Band Secretary John Bogle said " The band members are excited about returning to Bad Waldsee, it is a very beautiful part of Germany and we are always made very welcome by our hosts. It is a long journey to get there and the travel is very expensive, however, we are keen to maintain our links with the Bad Waldsee band which were established a number of years ago by senior band members who are sadly no longer with us".