History of The Atholl Highlanders

A History of The Band

Founded in 1981,the band has 25 members and typically fields 15 pipers and drummers for an event. Lord Murray, Duke of Atholl, granted the band permission to "wear his colours and to be his unit in the Colonies." Lord George Iain Murray, the 10th Duke of Atholl, passed away in February of 1996. Click here to view his obituary. The new Duke of Atholl is John Murray of South Africa. The chiefship of the Murrays has not yet been officially announced.

We carry sponsorship from Clan Murray Society of North America. Most band members are ex-military, and present a crisp military appearence.

Since 1981, the Atholl Highlanders have entertained thousands, from Peachtree Street to Gatlinburg, from Watkinsville to Montgomery. We have a simple goal, to play the Pipes and Drums. Although a competition winner at Stone Mountain, our aim is to perform and entertain - to bring the music and the drama of the Highlands to as many as possible.

Our Band is proud to wear the Tartan of Murray of Atholl and for historic connections back to Culloden and beyond. We also share a common bond with the Scottish Atholl Highlanders , Our Parent Band, and our sister-band the The Murray Pipes & Drums of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Athole Gathering ( Gallant Murray )

Note: Athole is the auld (old) spelling for the region of Atholl.


Chorus:
Wha will ride wi' gallant Murray?
Wha will ride wi' Geordie's sel'?
He's the floow'r o' a' Glenisla
And the Darlin' o' Dunkel'
See the white rose in his bonnet
See his banner o'er the Tay
His guid sword' he now has drawn it
And he's flung the sheath away



Every faithful Murray follows
First of Heroes! Best of men
Every true and trusty Stewart
Blythely leaves his native glen
Athole lads are lads of honour
Westland rogues are rebels a'
When we come within their border
We may gaur the Campbells claw

(Chorus)


 Menzies, he's our friend and brother
Gask and Strowan are nae slack
Noble Perth has ta'en the field
And a' the Drummonds at his back
Let us ride wi' gallant Murray
Let us fight for Cherlie's crown
From the right we'll never sinder
Till we bring the tyrants down

(Chorus)

MacKintosh, the gallant soldier
Wi' the Grahams and Gordons gay
They have ta'en the field of honour
Spite of all their chiefs could say
Point the musket, bend the rapier
Shift the brogue for lowland shoe
Scour the dirk and face the danger
MacKintosh has all to do

From the book "Ancient Jacobite Relics II" by Hogg
Can be heard on Tannahill Weavers Album " St.Kilda Wedding" and Andy M.Stewart's "Donegal Rain"

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