The band recently held a dinner dance to mark the end of the 125th Anniversary celebrations and were delighted to be joined by so many former members.
Fittingly the venue was the Kemper suite of the Hotel Cladhan and the evening opened with a few tunes by the band. Later, Chairman Peter Anderson spoke to the guests of the band’s long history  and shared a few anecdotes from the more recent past.
Some photos from the evening can be seen in the gallery section of the website.
Thanks to all who supported the event.

The band members were saddened to learn of the death of  former member Bert Smith, who died on 19th October in Strathcarron Hospice, aged 79.
Bert was a native of Bo’ness and began his piping with the Bo’ness Federation Pipe Band, before joining the British Hydrocarbon Chemicals Pipe Band in Grangemouth. This band, which later became the BP Gramgemouth Pipe Band, had great success under Pipe Major Alex Kiddie. Bert later progressed to Bob Hardie’s Muirhead & Sons band before joining Wallacestone & District in the mid 70’s.
Bert had played along with Pipe Major Tam Anderson in the BP band and was a part of highly successful Wallacestone band of 1980. After finishing playing with pipe bands, Bert concentrated his piping efforts on teaching, with James and Callum Beaumont of Bo’ness being his best known pupils. Bert taught Callum from the age of 7 and continued to give him instruction in light music until he was 18. Bert also entered the occasional “seniors” solo events himself with some success.
Bert’s funeral will be held on Friday 26th October at the Dundas Funeral Home, Bo’ness Road Grangemouth at 1:30 then Old Grandsable Cemetery, Polmont, at 2:15

Thanks are due to former tenor drummer George White, who is the grandson of piper Archibald D McLuckie. Archibald and his brothers Thomas and Alexander all played with the band from the 1890’s  to the early 1900’s.
George has come accross several old photos of the band and his relatives, from this early period of the band history and has kindly allowed them to be copied.
One image shows  PM T D McLuckie, his brother Archie and Pipe Sergeant Alexander Malcolm. The 4th player standing to the rear has still to be identified.
Can anyone name him?
The other photo shows a very young Angus Campbell McPherson, who left the band around 1912 to live in Queensland, Australia where he continued his very successful solo piping career.
If you have any old photographs of the band or can help us with information on the band history, please contact us through this website.

After a steady improvement over the year, the band ended the
season with a win at the last major contest, held at Dunoon.
Pipe Major Neil Henderson, in his first season in charge, lifted
the Hugh Mathieson Memorial Rose Bowl, a trophy last won by the band
almost 40 years ago, in 1974.
For Neil, who has strong family ties to Dunoon, it was the perfect end to
his first season in charge of the band.
Well done to everyone in band, the hard work has paid off!

The band’s performances continue to improve, with qualification for the finals of grade 4A at both the European Championships in Belfast and the World Championships in Glasgow, where the band finished 11th and 7th respectively.
Hopefully the band can finish the season strongly at Cowal Games and break into the top six.

The band have now taken possesion of their new ties, which have been specialy produced to mark our 125th year celebrations. They will be worn by the band, when wearing no. 2 dress, for the remainder of the year. Some ties are also available to buy at £5.00. Contact any band member for further information.

Congratulations to PM Neil Henderson and the band on winning the Grade 4 Marches contest at Dunbar on Saturday 12th May. The band produced their best run in the marches contest, taking first prize from a field of 16 bands. The band also competed in
the MSR contest, finishing with a credible 4th place after a slightly disappointing run.
The band are now looking forward to next Saturday, when they will take part in the Scottish Championships in Dumbarton.

Congratulations to tenor drummer Kay Condie who recently took part in Edinburugh’s “Rock ‘n Roll”  half marathon. Kay was raising funds for the band and has succeeded in raising over £550. Her commitment to fitness and training will stand her in good stead for the Colliers Walk in August!

The band are delighted to appointed a new Pipe Major.
29 year old Neil Henderson, who has spent the last 4 years playing with the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band has now joined the band. Neil began his playing career at Boghall and Bathgate where he was taught by the late Robert Martin. He also spent time in the Edinburgh based Scottish Gas Pipe Band before joining the highly successful Drambuie Kirkliston Pipe Band, where he played under Pipe Major Martin Wilson and later Pipe Major Ian Duncan.
There will also be a change of Leading Drummer in the band with Stewart Gardiner taking over from his son Fraser.
The band would like to thank PM Tam Anderson for all his hard work and dedication over the years and are delighted he will continue to teach the weekly learners class at Polmont.

The band are looking forward to a successful competition season in 2012 and would be happy to welcome some new young players to Walacestone, who can contact the band secretary through the website.