I’ve just been advised by our Chairman that Dorothy Scott (or Dot as she was known to many), has passed away.

Dot who was Davie Scott’s widow, passed away last week after having a stroke.

The funeral is at Woodside Crematorium Paisley on Monday 6th July.

They have requested Family only in attendance, due to limited numbers allowed.

(There is an online stream of the funeral available. If anyone wishes the live link details, please contact the secretary and we can forward it to you by email.)

On behalf of all the 214 Ex Members, I would like to extend our condolences to the family at this sad and testing time.

I am pleased to announce there has been a great radio programme recorded for IslesFM by Maggie Smith.

Maggie interviews the 214’s Hector Russell about the life of Alex MacIver.

The interview has a great balance of musical input, all tunes being Alex’ compositions, as well as great information on Lewis island life.

The timings of the broadcasts are listed below.

Hector advises on the background to it all:-

“One of my first steps in my adventure to source the compositions by Alex MacIver was to find a Lewis connection to aid me in my quest.

I was given the telephone number of Maggie Smith and made the contact explaining the purpose of my approach. I told her that we had already gathered a number of Alex’s musical creations some of which had Lewis connections like Achmore Loch. “Achmore Loch” Maggie enthused saying that not only did she live in Achmore but was looking as we spoke out of her kitchen window at the very loch in question!

This was some years ago and since then I have received every possible assistance from Maggie about Lewis and Gaelic and many related topics.

Maggie is a lady of many talents. She is resident in Achmore in the croft adjacent to where Alex MacIver’s mother was born and brought up.

She is among many other things a writer, a musician, an actress, a historian/researcher a writer and broadcaster.

Maggie had for some time a plan to create two radio broadcasts about Alex and his achievements. The first in English was to cover his piping contribution and the second in Gaelic covering his significant achievements in Gaelic culture particularly in theatre. This was to be two half hour programmes. However such was the volume of material she had collected this plan morphed into an hour long event which will be broadcast next week.

Maggie has been and remains a very valuable ally on “Matters MacKeever” providing much information and contact with several very useful sources.

I thank Maggie for all her assistance and constant wise advice.”

Hector Russell

Click here to go to IslesFM’s website. You then have to click the listen here logo at the top, to listen to the current IslesFM radio programme.

The programme is scheduled to be aired:-

Tue 23rd & 30th June at 7pm

Wed 24th June and 1st July at 12pm

Fri 26th June and 3rd July at 1pm

A number of new photos have been added to the Whiteinch photo gallery.

Click here to see the gallery or use the tab in the dropdown menu

We have added new Audio files No12 & 13 to our recordings.

Many thanks to Robert Wallace for his help.

Link to Audio page

We all hope you are keeping well and managing to cope during these trying times of the Covid-19 Pandemic?

I have spoken to quite a few Ex Members since lockdown and everyone seems to be coping alright.

If you require help, contact me and I’ll see what can be done using our network of members, or through your local agencies to provide this help.

This years reunion was a great success by all accounts, everyone I’ve spoken to really enjoyed the evening and the food!

Don Glass our Chairman took these photos on his phone. (Despite struggling with the ‘lurgy’.) I thank Don for these.

Stephen McQuillan your Treasurer also forwarded a short video of the piper and drummer who played on the evening, which has been added to our Video page.

Johnny Simpson and Kerr McQuillan who are both Grade 1 players with Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band, entertained the company with a fitting tribute of tunes.

These were excellently played and received, to remember our recently lost piping and drumming members.

The Committee would like to thank them for their fantastic playing.

Click here to go to the video page where Video 6 can be seen.

Hopefully things will get back to some sort of normality soon.

Take care all.

I received an email today from an Ex Member.

Dear Ex Members

My wife and I are just two, of the thousands of people that have been told by the UK and Scottish Government, to lockdown for 12 weeks.

Good weather has encouraged us all out into the garden, to complete any DIY projects that needed to be done.

So if like me, you find that there is too much television to take it all in, if you’re looking for something to do?

Your Ex Members website still requires your stories of days in the Company.

We appeal to Ex Captains, Officers, Boys, with fathers and brothers, all Ex-Members.

Pipers and Drummers that continued their training in the Company, in Senior Bands like the City of Glasgow Police and elsewhere.

But remember, it’s not all pipes and drums.

We had Ministers, Footballers, Doctors, Bankers, to mention a few.

So right then, your thoughts on paper please?

(or preferably email)

Send them to Alan YOUR Secretary for YOUR website.

Ex Captain of the 108thGCBB Partick.

“Very sad news that John Rogers (Jolly) passed away on Wednesday 15th April, aged 90.

He succumbed to a worsening of his dementia and was not taken by the coronavirus.

John served as an officer in the B.B. for several decades. He had a positive influence on the lives of many hundreds of boys and their families, and a debt of gratitude is felt by all. This kind, selfless and dedicated man was a true Partick Legend.

Due to the virus restrictions he will not receive the send off he deserves and it is hoped that some sort of memorial service/event can be arranged in the future to mark his passing and his life. RIP.”

P.M. Donald MacKenzie

“A true legend in BB and Pipe Band worlds.

Always the gentleman and would stop and talk to all at the pipe band contests or in the streets of Partick.

I had the privilege of attending a 108 Camp to Guernsey along with Stevie McQuillan as officers, as well as helping out with Vaulting Box classes and the band.

Alan McColl

(214 BB EX members Secretary)

“Well said Alan McColl

I remember the mutual work and the camp you mentioned was outstanding.

The Vaulting box work I also remember. When you, Finlay Urquhart and myself went along to Partick after our own Company meeting, to work jointly with our mates in the 108.

From this friendships have continued with many.”

Stevie McQuillan

(214BB Ex Members Treasurer)

(Material for this post was kindly taken from the 108th BB Facebook page.)

We are all set for this years reunion.

I’m sure a great evening of meeting up with old pals will ensue.

Friday 6th March 2020 – 6.45pm for 7.15pm start.

A fortnight tonight is the reunion. (Fri 6th March)

All the invites have now been sent, either by Royal Mail or emailed.

If you have replied I thank you for your prompt attention.

If you haven’t could you please do so as soon as possible.

This will allow us to organise catering and hall facilities.

I am still awaiting over 50 replies!

I would also like to thank all those who attended my fathers funeral on Wednesday.

It was a great comfort to us, seeing so many ‘214 boys’ there.

Sure & Stedfast

I can now inform you that Tom’s funeral details have now been arranged :-

Wednesday 19th February 2020 – 1.30pm at Dalnottar Crematorium

Click here for directions

Then afterwards at The Leonardo Inn Hotel Glasgow West End

(Formerly The Pond Hotel) Click here for directions

The family would like to thank you all for the kind messages, phone calls and cards at this sad time, they are very much appreciated.

I’m sure there will be a good turnout of 214 ties on the day as always.