Inverness Boy writes new anthem for city

Issued by Highland Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association

No birthday is complete without a party, and when the Cadet Movement in the Highlands celebrated theirs, the city of Inverness and its Provost Jimmy Gray gave an official reception and allowed a march past the Chambers to mark the event. 

In return the cadets gave the city of Inverness something unique – one of their number, 14 year old Cadet Steven Barclay, wrote a bagpipe march for the city.  The tune, entitled “The March to Inverness” was presented to Provost Gray, on Saturday night, at the reception.

Inverness native Steven, has been playing the pipes for five years and is a regular member of the cadet pipe band.  He comes from a piping family, with his father having been the Pipe Major in the Gordon Highlanders.

Steven said: “When my Colonel asked me to write something for the 150th anniversary of the cadets, I played about with different tunes for a while but nothing was coming together so I put it to one side and forgot all about it.  Then one day, the Regimental Sergeant Major asked me where it was, as I was due to hand it in.  That was when I remembered I had to do it.”

He took his chanter and went into a quiet room wondering what he could write.

“Its difficult trying to find inspiration,” he explained.  “It either comes or it doesn’t.”

Steven said he thought about the dramatic scenery surrounding his home and how he could translate that into something for the bagpipes.

“I thought about coming home to Inverness when you’ve been travelling.  I tried to re create the feeling when you drive out of the Cairngorms and into the valley.  You see the city and the river spread out into front of you with the Torridons in the distance and it catches your breath.”

Fifteen minutes later the tune was written.

He played it for the first time in front of the Adult Volunteers from the Highlands and Islands, the Commander of 51 (Scottish) Brigade, Brigadier David Allfrey, and the Provost of Inverness, Cllr Jimmy Gray.

Brigadier Allfrey said: Thank you for this.  "How often do you get a chance to watch and hear a talented 14-year old piper - from one of our great piping families - play a notable and catchy March, of his own composition, to the Provost, in the Town House of the City of Inverness, dedicated to that great city, surrounded by the portraits of great Highland figures, in front of his peers, the good and the great.  A tremendous accomplishment.  I was very proud to be present.  

Piper Barclay exemplifies (along with Piper McDonald who played with him) all that is wonderful about cadet piping and drumming."

Provost Gray said: “We were all delighted that Steven has followed in the tradition of Highland pipers and written a piece of music that reflects our emotions when we catch first sight of our home.  Following on from the Army Cadet Parade on Saturday, I had the pleasure of hearing Steven play it for the very first time. The reaction from all those present in the Town House Inverness, who like me were hearing the tune played in public for the very first time was one of pure delight. So much so that Steven and Lois MacDonald who were playing a duet of the March to Inverness had to return to the stage for an encore.  I am sure that this tune will go on to be extremely popular wherever traditional Scottish music is played. ”

The resourceful Culloden Academy pupil isn’t letting go of his tune that easily.

“I have to write a piece of music for my standard grade, so I think this will do,” he said cheekily. 

The rest of Inverness would appear to agree with him.