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Introduction
became apparent that Kirkwall TAC would struggle to
accommodate and feed this large group of people and the
Lt Col Doug Wren,
ablutions in particular were found to be totally inadequate
for the task. An urgent requirement was passed to the Regt
S
QM, Maj Singe Webster, who managed to provide addition-
al toilets from the mainland to support the event. A large
cotland’s Sappers recently completed what amount- ablution area complete with American water heaters was
ed to a very successful formation level deployment constructed to enable both the pipers and their support
exercise across the length and breadth of Scotland. ‘71’ was staff to wash and shave in relative comfort. The downside
tasked with running/and or supporting various events as part was that, for the next week the town of Kirkwall would be
of the 2008 Veterans Day, while at the same time weaving woken daily at 0500hrs with the distinct mortar-like thump
together brigade and divisional TA 100 celebrations of which of the burners lighting.
The Pipers’ Trail was Commander 51 (Scottish) Brigade’s 10 Tp’s PSI, WO2 Jimmy Printy, and his men worked
contribution. The Pipers’ Trail travelled through Scotland tirelessly to ensure that all requirements needed during the
starting in the Shetlands in June ending in Edinburgh in week were put in place and at one stage the TAC resembled a
July. The Orkney and Stirling events were 71’s to run in set from the movie Ben-Hur. Field defences, demolitions, mine
conjunction with the local government, community, and of warfare and power tool stands were constructed on the 16
course the various veterans’ bodies, all of which were and 17 June. The SQMS, SSgt Jim Sutherland, had placed a
supported by two of our ‘out of service’ (Op Granby era) large loan pool stores demand for this event in February cov-
searchlights providing a saltire background to the events. ering all our requirements.
During the evening of the 19 June a very successful
Orkney Events civic reception was held with some 120 VIPs and employers
Capt ‘Jocky’ Frew, PSAO 236 Fd Sqn (V)
from the Orkney Islands attending the event.
For catering, the Regiment tasked an outstanding chef,
The initial brief from a 236 Fd Sqn and 10 (Orkney) Tp Sgt McKinnon, who supported the Pipers Trail event
perspective was straight forward and simple: advertise the throughout. Feeding took place with the drill hall; dispersed
event; meet the pipers off the ferry; accommodate and feed feeding and haversack rations ensured that everyone
them in Kirkwall TAC; support the numerous The Pipers involved was fed.
Trail events across Orkney; organise and host a civic reception 236 Fd Sqn and 10 Tp are extremely proud of their col-
on 19 June; and wave them on their way on 20 June! lective efforts during the period of Ex Pipers Trail.
We decided fairly early on that as Scotland’s Royal
Engineers were to be among the first units exposed to The
Pipers Trail we would set the benchmark for all other units
to follow. No plan survives contact, though! It quickly
The Pipers’ Trail
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