One hundred and forty years ago, there were several Gordon’s Boys Homes around the South of England, one of which was in Dover. From inception, the Gordon’s Boys’ Home in Dover had a Pipe Band, tutored by the Pipe Major of the Seaforth Highlanders, who, at the time, were posted to Dover Castle. Sadly, in 1941, the Home in Dover was bombed and it was at this time that the Pipe Band were relocated to the Home in West End, now known as Gordon’s School. In 1941, the Band consisted of six boys and has grown over the last 80 years to a Band of 50 strong, establishing both a lasting, integral tradition within the School.

Gordon’s School Pipes and Drums is directed by Iona Scotson and assisted by a team of student leaders. The Pipes and Drums has been fortunate enough to perform in front of Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey in 2014 for An Observance of the Commonwealth, as well as performing in the Lord Mayor’s Show, most recently in 2023, at the Royal Albert Hall and at Windsor Castle, to name but a few. In its earlier years, the Band also performed in the Royal Tournament. Ever adaptable, the Pipes and Drums have also played with bagrock Bands such as ‘Skerryvore’ and the ‘Red Hot Chilli Pipers’. Every year, the Pipes and Drums lead the annual School Parade through Whitehall as part of our Memorial Weekend in remembrance of General Gordon which is always a highlight of the Band’s calendar. For the first time this year, members of the Pipes and Drums travelled to New York and marched down Sixth Avenue for the City’s Tartan Day Parade, which was such a great experience. The Pipes and Drums will return to Menin Gate in Ypres next year, an annual tradition, to continue to honour The Fallen. This year, they will be part of London Band Week, performing in the London Tattoo and the Palace Parade Review at Hampton Court Palace. Each year the Band attend the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships and the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green and will return to the Worlds this Summer.