Sydney’s Mosman Scottish Society had long wanted a pipe band associated with them. In September 1948 a Highland Gathering was staged at Balmoral Beach Oval. This became an annual event for the next ten years and the proceeds of the 1949 Gathering (£2000) went entirely to establishing the Band. This paid for all instruments and full military uniforms in the MacPherson Tartan.
The Mosman Pipe Band’s first formal appearance was on ANZAC Sunday 1949 at Mosman. The Band entered contests over the next few years without much success but gained much needed experience.
In 1954 Bruce MacLeod formed the Clan MacLeod Society of Australia (NSW). This was in preparation for the first visit of the Chief, Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod. The Mosman band was engaged to meet her at Sydney Airport and play at events during her visit. The Band also played for her second visit in 1958.
In 1963, following the demise of the Mosman Scottish Association, the Clan MacLeod Society paid its trustees approximately £50 for all the band uniforms and instruments. The Band was then renamed and thus the Clan MacLeod Pipe Band was formed wearing the Ancient MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan Tartan. Some of the pipes, sporrans, buckles and brooches are still used to this day.
The band still maintains close links with the Clan MacLeod Society and members have attended parliaments and played at Dunvegan Castle on Skye. It performs at community events, street parades and Anzac marches as well as surf carnivals and highland gatherings. New members are always welcome.
