The Central Band of The Boys' Brigade in Scotland

Welcome to our website!  We are a marching wind band, open to all members of the Brigade in Scotland (including Officers) who play Brass, Woodwind or marching percussion instruments.  We aim to support and grow band-work in Scotland by providing an outlet within the BB for members who play brass and woodwind instruments, whether as part of their Company band or individually; and to provide opportunities for members to participate in major public events.

While the majority of our membership is made up from 4th Dunfermline, 1st Fraserburgh and 1st Tulliallan Company bands, we also have a sizeable contingent of individual players from Companies currently without bands, or with only a few players.  We are a "virtual band", and most music is distributed via email for individual practise - full rehearsals are kept to a minimum.

2008 marks the 125th Anniversary of the Boys' Brigade in Scotland, and as such, we expect to be involved in some special events - including Beating Retreat at Brigade Council in September 2008, and a Tattoo in April 2009.  We hope to recuit more members to help with these events.

We're currently looking for new members!

Are you ... 

  • Over 10 years of age?

  • In membership of the Boys' Brigade (or a BB Company Band) – Boy, Officer or Registered Instructor / Helper?

  • Able to read music?

  • Able to play a brass, woodwind or “tuned percussion” (eg Bell Lyre, Vibraphone etc) instrument on the march?

If so, and you would like to be involved,  please drop a note with your details to Central Band, and we'll be in touch.
We're also interested in hearing from Companies with a Band or a small number of players that would like to be involved - please drop us an email if you'd like more information or to discuss what we do.

Founded 17-Aug-2003 at Revinghed Barracks in Sweden, the Central Band has grown out of the BB Brass Bands represented at the Ystad International Military Tattoo in August 2003. A loose affiliation of Company Bands and individual players, the band aims to promote Bandwork in Scotland by providing opportunities for Bands and players to develop and refine their skills in a non-competitive* environment.

* Participation in future contests has not been ruled out, but will not take place where this may cause conflicts of interest with competing Company Bands in membership of the Central Band.

In recent years, we have taken part, along with massed Pipes & Drums and massed Fifes & Drums in Beating Retreat at Edinburgh Castle (hosted by Edinburgh, Leith & District Battalion, this is an excellent event which takes place annually on the Castle Esplanade), and in the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade (a huge procession through the centre of Edinburgh). We plan to have 2 or 3 rehearsals per year, and are already planning our routine for this year's Beating Retreat!