What happened to the pipe band? Organisers of Dornoch's Hogmanay street party apologise after band fails to turn up
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Organisers of Dornoch's renowned Hogmanay street party have apologised after a pipe band due to perform at the festivities, failed to turn up.
A post on the Dornoch Hogmanay Street Party social media page said the failure of the promised pipe band to appear was due to "unforeseen circumstances".
The pipe band was due to kick off the annual event in Dornoch Square with a performance at 10pm. However bemused revellers waiting to hear the band, were jokingly told that they were "still in the Eagle (hotel)".
A lone piper and drummer turned up at around 11.40pm, marched about 100 yards past the Castle Hotel to the square and played around three tunes.
A woman with local connections who had travelled from her home in Edinburgh for the Hogmanay party said it was very disappointing.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said: "We came out before 10pm to wait for the pipe band but they didn't turn up. I went to the information desk to ask if the pipe band would be be there and they said there was no pipe band. I think someone had to go and drag a piper and drummer out of their homes!"
She added that, apart from the fireworks display after midnight which was "absolutely fantastic", she felt the whole event was a bit "lacklustre" and lacking in atmosphere.
However, others have taken to social media to say that it had been a "brilliant night" and a "great start to the New Year" and have thanked those who organised the event.
Organisers posted on the Dornoch Hogmanay Street Party social media page: "We're sorry about the pipe band. We understand that it was a disappointment for everyone looking forward to seeing them.
"Each year members of pipe bands around the area come together to give up their Hogmanay to play voluntarily.
"Everything was in place for last night but due to unforeseen circumstances a full band could not make it."
The group said that they were "incredibly" grateful to the piper and drummer who eventually turned up.
And the post continued: "Our Hogmanay Street Party group is made up of four people who try their absolute best. Our street party is run solely from donations and costs around £8000 to run each year.
"We rely on the generosity of the wonderful people who volunteer their time, effort and money. And we just want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who is involved, behind the scenes at at the forefront.
"So thank you to those who have helped us throughout the planning process and on the day. Those who have donated their time or their money or to our raffle.........We hope that regardless of the issue with the pipe band, you all had a great time."
