The Black Bottle Islay Pipe Band

Islay Pipe Band are celebrating their new name, ‘The Black Bottle Islay Pipe Band’, after receiving sponsorship from the brand, which hails from Bunnahabhain Distillery.This is the first time that the band has received sole sponsorship and this means that the Black Bottle name and logo is now featured on the skins of the bass drum along with the band name and Islay crest. The Black Bottle logo is also featured on the band members clothing. The sponsorship will also help to finance travel and accommodation arrangements for the band who will be promoting Black Bottle Blended Scotch Whisky throughout the year at various competitions they attend. The pipe band, under the leadership and instruction of Pipe Major Nigel Morris, won their first trophy at Pitlochry Highland Games last September. All members of the band are very enthusiastic and dedicated in their efforts to put themselves on the pipe band map, and become a force to be reckoned with on the competition circuit.

They hope to encourage more young people on Islay to join the band and help preserve our Scottish piping and drumming heritage. A spokesperson for the pipe band commented 'We are delighted that Black Bottle have come forward with their offer of sole sponsorship. This will help us compete at the major competitions on the mainland and with the general running costs. Being Islay’s only pipe band, we are great ambassadors for the island and are very proud to promote Black Bottle and Islay'.

Black Bottle Islay Pipe Band on the pier at Bunnahabhain during this year’s Festival of Malt and Music Photo: Islay Studios

This story was published with kind permission from The Ileach - Community Newspaper of the year.