A Fife band is preparing to bang the drum for Scotland at an event in the United States next week.
The Police Scotland Fife Pipe Band has been invited to attend the Virginia International Tattoo from April 21 to 24.
It is the largest show of its kind in the United States and is similar to the Edinburgh International Military Tattoo.
A cast of more than 1,500 artists from several countries attend including marching bands, massed pipes and drums, drill teams, Scottish dancers and more.
In this, its 20th year, members of the Fife Police band will line up alongside military bands from Australia, Canada, Germany, Jordan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States.
The band is one of the top ranked police pipe bands in the world, regularly competing in major championships and features players from all walks of life.
It is led by Pipe Major and double gold medallist Douglas Murray and leading drummer Mick O’Neill and, although the pair are not police officers, there are a number of serving police officers in the band.
Heading to Virginia will be Detective Sergeant Kevin Spears, a piper stationed in Fife, Special Constable Martin Gordon, a bass drummer stationed in Aberdeen, and band manager Constable Melannie Rieley, who is stationed in Dunfermline.
Iain Rae will be stepping up and filling Mick’s brogues as leading drummer.
Chief Superintendent Angela McLaren, Fife Divisional Commander and president of the band, said: “It’s a tremendous honour for Police Scotland and in particular Fife Division to be invited to take part in the Virginia International Tattoo.
“I am pleased that the significant commitment that is shown by all the band members who represent Police Scotland Fife Pipe Band is being acknowledged in this way.
“This will be a highlight in the career of the band and will portray a high- quality, professional and traditional image of Scotland, Fife and policing to the people and visitors of Virginia.”
The band will also be competing in the first annual Virginia International Tattoo American Pipe Band Championships. It will compete in the top grade against Inveraray and District Pipe Band, Peel Regional Police Pipe Band and Toronto Police Pipe Band, both from Canada.
In 2015, the drum corps of the Fife Police Pipe Band had its most successful season, finishing in the top six in three of the five major championships – the Scottish, British and World Championships.
The Police Scotland Fife Pipe Band has successfully qualified for the Grade 1 World Championship Finals five times and finished in the top 10 each time.
The pipe band does not currently receive any funding from Police Scotland but is funded by the staff lottery from Fife legacy force.
The Virginia Arts Festival is paying all the costs for the band to attend, covering the flights, accommodation and meals – with no cost to Police Scotland.
