In the beginning years each band member had to furnish his/her own kilt. So there were no two kilts alike. Originally it was felt that this added color to the presentations. Early on, however, the band was able to purchase MacFarlane tartan kilts with the help of a grant from the Scottish Society of the Virginia highlands, and so was able to dress pipers and drummers uniformly, i.e., in uniforms. In order to help pay for those first uniforms, pipers who played individually gave their honorariums to the band. Records also show that in 1984 there was a yard sale and bake sale to raise money for band uniforms, drums and equipment, also sponsored by the Scottish Society of the Virginia Highlands.
By the end of 1984 the band had played in their first Christmas parade, in Roanoke . They had, by then, participated in a neighborhood festival, a small Scottish games, two crafts fairs, and several parades, picnics, weddings and funerals. By the close of that year, the second year, the band consisted of five pipers, four drummers, several local Scottish dancers, and even had their own parade banner to be carried in front of the band!
An important band tradition also began in 1984 when the band played for Radford University 's spring graduation. Since then the band has become a “regular” at Radford University's graduations, and for a number of years has played for both the winter and spring graduation ceremonies—their unofficial pipe band. Radford University 's tartan is also MacFarlane.
The band has continued to grow both in size and number of appearances. It is interesting to note that in May of 1985 the rates to hire the band were:
- Full band—minimum of 6 pipes & 4 drums--$225
- Mini band—consisting of 2 pipes & 1 drum--$125
- Solo piper—length of program varies--$50
- Highland dancer—must have a piper to play--$25
The above rates do not include travel.
A 1986 photograph showed eight pipers, five drummers, a drum major and a Scottish dancer.
The pipe majors of Virginia Highlands Pipes and Drums:
- John L. Harris, Jr.
- Herbert E. McComsey
- Ripley Williams
- Edwin Robinson
- Roy Knighting
The drum sergeants:
- Myron C. White, Jr.
- Gary Hall
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From left to right, front:
Tenor Drummer - Evan Robinson
Drum Sergeant - Myron White
Bass Drummer - Mike Spessard
Side Drummer - Dirk McComsey
Side Drummer - ?
Rear:
Pipe Major - Herb McComsey
Pipe Sergeant - Ed Robinson
Piper - Roy MacCormack
Piper - The Rev. Dr. Robert T. Copenhaver
Piper - Bill Weed
Piper - Dr. C. Y. Davis
Piper - Lt. Steven Hart, US Army
Piper - Ripley Williams
Drum Major - Harry Haskins
Photo taken at Roanoke Methodist Home, Salem, VA, 1996
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From left to right:
Dancer - Dawn Fitzsimmons
Pipe Major - Dr. John Harris
Pipe Sergeant - Ken Swisher
Piper - Carol (Mellinger) Robertson
Piper - ?
Drum Sergeant - Myron White
Side Drummer - ?
Bass Drummer - Kit Hess
Tenor Drummer - Harry Haskins
Tenor Drummer - Mike Spessard
Piper - ?
Piper - Dr. Ralph Maudsley
Piper - Barry Hartman
Piper - Ed Robinson
Drum Major - ?
Photo taken at Bluefield College, Bluefield, VA, 1987
Updated July 1, 2007 BACK
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