While attending this course the idea to start a community pipe band as a local facility was formed and, upon his return from Skye, Nick obtained permission from Canon Clark (a piping enthusiast) to use St Vincent’s Chapel, on St Stephen St, as the Band’s practice premises.
At the start of September Nick made contact with Lindsay Davidson and invited him along to join the band. Fellow learners from the College of Piping class, at Broughton High School, run by Dugald MacNeil and Jennie Wheater were contacted. Nick also made contact with Tom Black, former lead tip of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
Plans were made to formalize the band with a Committee, and a constitution was drawn up (lodged in the Stockbridge Library). Nick designed and produced the Band logo, inspired by the stone bridge over the old ford at Kerr Street. Lindsay was appointed the Band’s first Pipe Major/Instructor, and was responsible for the musical direction, Nick as Pipe Sergeant/Secretary and Tom Black as Drumming Instructor.
The Band held it’s first performance in the Stockbridge Parish Church on December the
12th 1994. The Stockbridge Pipe Band was up and running.