Musical history was made on Royal Deeside at the weekend when a piece of music specially composed for Her Majesty The Queen received its first public performance.
The world public premiere of the new pipe tune ‘The Longest Reign’ was performed on Sunday at Deeside Activity Park near Aboyne, as part of the final day of Royal Deeside’s Food and Fiddle Fortnight.
Performing the historic recital were members of the pipes and drums of The Royal Highland Fusiliers 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS), whose Pipe Major, Stuart Gillies, composed the tune. As its name suggests, the tune was composed to commemorate Her Majesty becoming the longest reigning monarch in British history.
The free to attend event was one of the fusiliers’ final engagements on Royal Deeside, after three months on Royal Guard duty. The pipe band’s performance also featured a medley of other traditional tunes.
Pipe Major Gillies composed the vibrant march tune at the request of 2 SCOTS company commander Major Alastair Colville. ‘The Longest Reign’ marks the date – Wednesday, September 9, 2015 – that Her Majesty surpassed the milestone which her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria had previously held.
The tune was performed for Her Majesty at Balmoral Castle on that date and a copy of the tune was presented to her at the end of her annual summer stay on Royal Deeside.
2 SCOTS company commander Major Alastair Colville said: “In June, I asked the Pipe Major to produce something special for Her Majesty The Queen to mark an important day. ‘The Longest Reign’ is a vibrant and positive tune to mark the moment for Her Majesty.
“This is the first time the battalion has done the guard for 28 years, so we wanted to return with some style and the whole company has really enjoyed the opportunity to spend three months in such a stunning setting.”
Pipe Major Gilles has been playing the bagpipes for 10 years, only learning them after joining the army. He has composed a number of tunes previously, including one for the Greenville Scottish Games in America titled ‘The St Andrews Society of Upper South Carolina’. 2 SCOTS attended the event earlier this year and provided a guard of honour.
Commenting on the royal tune, Pipe Major Gillies said: "When I was given this special task I wanted to write a tune that was distinctive and suitable for the occasion, as well as being easily learned so as many people as possible could play it. It is an upbeat and celebratory tune, and each part has the same basic melody, but with growing complexity.”
A video of two pipers from the band performing the tune high on the hills above Ballater has been viewed nearly 80,000 times on the regiment’s Facebook page.
Ken Howie, owner of Deeside Activity Park, said: “It was fantastic to have the pipes and drums of 2 SCOTS performing here at Deeside Activity Park. Premiering this beautiful, historic tune in Royal Deeside is a very fitting way for the band to end their time on Royal Guard duty and is a wonderful tribute to Her Majesty.
“Events such as Food and Fiddle Fortnight and this performance are really important for businesses in Royal Deeside. They illustrate the vibrancy and diversity of the area, encouraging people to come and explore it and try their hand at new activities. On Thursday we host our own Doric Dirl evening which is set to be very popular.”
The world public premiere of ‘The Longest Reign’ was one of the final events of the 2015 Food and Fiddle Fortnight which is organised by Visit Royal Deeside. An annual event, it brings together local food producers, businesses and musicians to celebrate the culinary and cultural talents and heritage that exist in Royal Deeside and the surrounding area.
More than 60 events have taken place in venues across the area, including food demonstrations, farmers markets, live music sessions, special afternoon teas, exhibitions and concerts. Many of the area’s cafes, restaurants and inns also created special menus for the festival, showcasing the breadth and depth of produce available locally.
Moira Gash, Visit Royal Deeside project co-ordinator, said: “This year’s Food and Fiddle Fortnight has seen a great array of events taking place right across Deeside and Donside. The events have been very well received by locals and visitors, creating a real buzz, particularly the open music sessions.
“We are very pleased that 2 SCOTS agreed to hold the world public premiere of ‘The Longest Reign’ here in Royal Deeside as part of Food and Fiddle Fortnight – it certainly added to the variety. The band has been a popular sight at highland games in the area over the summer, including Ballater and Lonach, and wish them well as they return to barracks in Edinburgh.”
Located near Aboyne on Royal Deeside, Deeside Activity Park offers a range of alternative activities for families and corporate team building sessions Activities include archery, clay pigeon shooting, kart racing, quad biking and tractor driving. The park’s facilities also include a restaurant, farm shop, conference suite, indoor activities arena and three luxury holiday cottages. On Sunday, November 8, Deeside Activity Park will host its annual free Fireworks and Bonfire Night event. More information is available at www.deesideactivitypark.com.