German Pipers to Play at Clach na Coileach in
Glenshee
*****
Clach na Coileach
On Sunday 2nd August 2015 at 2.00pm The Ems Highlander Pipes
and Drums from Germany will give a short display of piping and
drumming at the Clach na Coileach (The Cockstane), the ancient
gathering place of the Clan MacThomas in Glenshee, about 5
miles south of the Spittal on the A93 Old Military
Road.
***** The pipers and
drummers of The Ems Highlanders come from Emsdetten on the
high lands of northern Germany which, they say, allows them to
call themselves “Highlanders”. The River Ems runs
through Emsdetten. Around the year 2000 a group of local
musicians had the crazy idea to form a Scottish Pipe
Band. They bought budget pipes but soon discovered that
the finger-work and bag control was not as easy to master as
they had imagined. Their motto is, “Well, we can!” and so they
enlisted the help of an experienced German Pipe Major who
insisted that they bought “proper” pipes. With regular
fortnightly practices the group began to grow and soon the
band was playing recognisable Scottish tunes. They got better
and better.
***** Their own Pipe
Major, Sebastian Thomas, researched his Scottish history and
discovered there was a flourishing Clan MacThomas Society
active in Glenshee.
The EMS Pipe Band
He wrote to the secretary, was admitted as a member and
attended the next Clan Gathering. He was so impressed
that he bought a MacThomas kilt to take back to Germany.
Meanwhile, the Ems Highlanders were looking to adopt a tartan
for their flourishing pipe band – what better tartan could
they possibly find? And so the The Ems Highlanders are
fully kitted out in MacThomas Highland attire. They
currently consist of 21 members – 13 pipers, 1 bass drum, 2
tenor drums, 4 snare drums and of course the Drum Major.
In addition they have 3 new members who are learning the
pipes.
***** The Ems
Highlanders are on a short tour of Scotland playing at various
locations including Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Culloden,
Granton on Spey, Balmoral, Glenshee, Sterling and
Edinburgh. The touring party consists of 9 pipers and 4
drummers, plus 17 friends and family. The Band’s website
is:
***** A spokesman from
the Clan MacThomas said they were honoured that the Ems
Highlanders had adopted the MacThomas tartan and they are
delighted that they will be playing at the Clach na
Coileach. The Clan MacThomas is part of the Clan Chattan
Confederation and originates from the lands around Glenshee
and Glenisla. Andrew MacThomas of Finegand is the 19th
Chief of the Clan. The Clan Society was formed to
promote interest in the Clan and its history, preserve its
heritage and assist in genealogical research. Its
members are spread throughout the world and gather every 3
years at the Clach na Coileach. For a few days after
they enjoy various social and cultural events in and around
Glenshee. Membership is open to individuals who claim a
link to the following names: Thom, Thomas, Thoms, Thomson,
McCombie, McColm, McComas, MacOmie, MacOmish and variations
thereof. For further details visit: www.clanmacthomas.com.
Issued by:
Robin
Thoms Vice President, The Clan MacThomas Society
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