Bathgate Band
The Bathgate Band is one of Scotland’s oldest brass bands, with the first documented appearance being in 1842. The band regularly participates in competitions and events throughout Scotland and the United Kingdom, and holds concerts in the local area.
The band is also a registered charity in Scotland (SCO35364) and does charity work in and throughout the country. Bathgate Band performs in many community events throughout the year and constantly strives to fulfil its civic duties each year.
Bo’ness & Carriden Band
Formed in 1858, Bo’ness & Carriden Band has a long history of competing at the very highest level. From their win at the very first Scottish Championships in 1895, to their 4th place at the same contest in 2004, the Band have proved successful for over 100 years.
But despite this proud history, Bo’ness & Carriden Band are not dwelling on the past, but instead, are aiming to make the next 100 years as successful as the last.
Broxburn & Livingston Band
The Broxburn & Livingston Brass Brand formed in October 2004 from the amalgamation of two West Lothian bands; Broxburn Public and Livingston Brass Band.
The Broxburn and Livingston Band aim to contribute to the local society of West Lothian and also the wider brass band community. We give a number of concerts throughout the year including community events in Broxburn and Livingston and concerts in the wider Lothian region, and further afield.
Dalkeith and Monktonhall
An amalgamation of the Dalkeith Burgh and Monktonhall Colliery Bands, Dalkeith and Monktonhall Band was formed in 1989.
Prior to amalgamation, both bands enjoyed financial backing from the coal industry, which dwindled in the 1980s.
The band is based in Prestonpans, East Lothian, maintains a busy annual concert and public engagement schedule and operates a training band for learners of all age
Edinburgh Brass Band
Edinburgh Brass Band was formed in November 2011 by a group of enthusiastic brass players who wished to continue their brass playing in a fun and social environment in the heart of Edinburgh. The brass band was set up as a non-auditioning community brass band, with a focus on the fun of playing music, rather than concentrating on competitions and test pieces. This appears to be a winning formula and the band has been growing steadily since it’s first rehearsal in April 2012. The standard of the band has also continued to improve over the years and guest conductors are often hugely impressed by the level of playing that has been achieved by this relative new community band.
Kirkton Brass Bathgate
The band was formed in 1987 under our original name of Newland Concert Brass. Our first ever rehearsal took place in Newland Academy in Bathgate, West Lothian. Since then, the band have had several rehearsal venues but now have their own bandhall in Bathgate.
In 2022, the band decided to rebrand, introducing the new name of Kirkton Brass Bathgate. A new band logo was also introduced at this time. Kirkton is an area of Bathgate and as we are based in Bathgate, we wanted our name to reflect this. Our 3 span arch logo symbolises an important historical landmark in Bathgate (The Kirkton Park Arch and Stuart Gates) which is situated at the entrance of Kirkton Park in Bathgate. In recent years the 3 span arch logo has been used to rebrand the town of Bathgate and can be found on street signs and historical plaques around the town. The 3 span arch logo also looks similar to the iconic 3 span spruce arch that has been part of Bathgate Procession and Community Festival over the years. The Procession is an event that our band take part in every year.
McTaggart Scott Loanhead Brass Band
Mactaggart Scott Loanhead Band traces its roots back to Polton Mills Band, winners of the Scottish Championships in 1904.
The band in its present incarnation was formed in 1943 when a concert party from the local engineering works, MacTaggart Scott and Company was rehearsing in the town hall. They came across the stored instruments and approached the Town Council with a view to forming a ‘works band’. Thus, the present band was born and known for many years as Mactaggart Scott Works Band.
Newtongrange Silver Band
The present band was founded in 1892, although it is understood that another band had previously existed in the district. For over 90 years the band was closely linked with the coal mining industry which was the sole reason for the existence of the village of Newtongrange.
St David’s Brass
St. David’s Brass Band SCIO has a senior contesting band and an active youth band. There are brass and percussion learning opportunities for all ages. The Band plays at various community events.
Unison Kinneil Band
Originally the Kinneil Colliery band, the future looked grim for them when the pit closed in 1983.
But a conversation that year between the NUM pit delegate and NUPE’s Ron Curran at the STUC led to NUPE taking over the sponsorship.
UNISON carried this on when NUPE, NALGO and COHSE merged in 1995.
Whitburn Band
Whitburn Band (Registered Charity – SC044829) – the current Scottish brass band champion – was formed in the heart of the coal mining area of West Lothian in 1870 and originally served as an outlet for members of the mining community to perform at local parades and gala days. Its first major contesting impact came in 1954 when it became the first Scottish band to secure a National title by winning the Third Section competition in London.
Progression to the Championship Section followed, and in 1968 Whitburn won its first Scottish Championship title. Success continued during the early 1970s, but following the appointment of Major Peter Parkes in 1978 Whitburn dominated the Scottish brass band scene and became regular prizewinners in the major band contests in England. It made regular broadcasts and performed in many of the finest concert halls in Europe, and in 1990 the band was runners-up at the European Brass Band Championships.
Whitburn Band has been Scottish champion 21 times in its history. The band continues to make a significant contribution to cultural life in Scotland, performing regularly at major events such as Scotland’s international rugby games, where television audiences numbering in the millions hear Whitburn perform the national anthem of Scotland’s opponents. Whitburn has also performed at Celtic Connections and at the Edinburgh International Festival in the past few years.
Whitburn Heartlands Band
Our community band, Whitburn Heartlands, rehearse on Monday evenings from 7:30-9:30pm. They are led by Stephen Duncan and consist of our older Youth Band players who are learning how to play in a more mature setting, alongside our more mature brass playing enthusiasts and adults who have returned to brass bands after extended absence.
To check out our Youth Bands click here
To check out our Non-Contesting Bands click here