We have featured many bands over the years, but few have been as impressively dressed as this group.

The Abingdon White Heather Pipe Band was formed in 1978 and when this picture was taken a year later, it was looking for new recruits.

Keith Thomson, 20, of Marcham Road, Abingdon, set it up with a group of friends after they left the Oxford Pipe Band.

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He said at the time: “There had been disagreements so we decided to set out and form our own band. At first, it was just an idea, but we found several people who were really keen.

“We don’t have any ban on age or sex - and you don’t have to have Scottish connections. All you need is a good pair of lungs and a good pair of knees, or at least not mind wearing a kilt.”

As you can see, the band had its own uniform - smart blue tartan kilts, with sporran and all the trimmings.

They raised the money for the kit by holding a series of Scottish social evenings or ceilidhs - “a sort of knees-up in a kilt,” Keith explained.

The band rehearsed on Friday evenings at Abingdon ambulance station in Wootton Road.

“We warm up for about an hour and then we have a full practice on the pipes and drums. It makes quite a noise. Luckily, we don’t disturb too many people there.

“I can’t practise much at home because my neighbours don’t like the pipes - and my wife isn’t too keen either!”

The Oxford Caledonian Pipes and Drums Band are a group of musicians from Oxford and the surrounding area who are dedicated to keeping traditional Scottish pipe music alive.

The band has been in existence for more than 35 years and is a registered charity and non-profit making organisation.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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