The Graham of Montrose Band was formed in 1995 and grew to a sizeable band, partly due to the availability of former Legion Pipe Band players when it disbanded around that time.

Since then, up until a few years ago, the band has represented the town of Montrose at local, regional and international events. These included Highland Games, Remembrance services and twinning events as well as local charity and business events.

The band's charter was to exist for the pleasure of its playing members and the community as opposed to performing as a competing band.

Over the years the band has faced many ups and downs and in 2004, an extraordinary general meeting was called to consider its future due to a large drop in player numbers.

It was agreed at that meeting that a recruitment drive would be held at the Montrose Highland Games to boost numbers and this attracted a lot of attention which led to a subsequent revival of the band.

The band were helped in this effort by support from Blairgowrie and Newtonhill Pipe Bands, who over the years provided pipers and drummers to supplement their numbers.

Since then, various factors have led to a continued decline in numbers and performances were suspended. These factors included ill health, retirement, moving away from the region for employment and educational reasons, aspiration to play at competition level, and normal attrition due to other priorities.

Montrose is not the only band to suffer from these factors and many small bands have had to deal with fall off by recruiting and developing youngsters to maintain sufficient scale.

The Graham of Montrose Band has continued to provide tuition in piping up until the end of the school year in June 2009, but have now decided that a fresh approach is needed to tackling a revival of the band.

Secretary Bob Stevenson says: "I think many in our community would regard the loss of the Montrose pipe band as highly regrettable since it deprives both youth and adults of a locally available opportunity to learn and participate in one of our best known forms of Scottish music and culture and the community of a valuable assett.

"The past five years have shown that rebuilding the band to its former strength is no small feat and will require support in many and various ways apart from the obvious core musical skills in piping and drumming.

"Retired Pipe Major George Allen has been holding the fort on the piping tuition and doing a great job, but we urgently need to recruit a budding Pipe Major and a drumming lead to help develop the individual skills into playing and marching as a band with all that entails.

"Beyond this, support sought would include things such as fund raising, tuition, recruitment of learners and players, parental involvement, organisation, finances, public relations, liaison with business and community organisations, schools, pursuing sponsors, etc., etc.

"If you have an interest in helping develop a revival plan for the band either as a committee member or a volunteer I'd be delighted to hear from you. Also, if you know anyone you feel might be able to contribute, please refer them to this article.

"There are a number of ways the band could be restarted such as a merger with one of the other bands in the region or restarting tuition in piping and drumming on a more solid footing from a financial point of view.

"I believe that there is no reason why a town the size of Montrose could not sustain a viable pipe band.

"If you want to contribute at any level, please contact me on 07749 798874 or by email to gompbmail@googlemail.com.

"I would propose that following expressions of interest I will organise a public meeting to discuss ideas and alternatives and agree a set of actions to follow up on including the appointment of a broader based committee to drive the band revival."