As part of their ongoing 110th anniversary celebrations, the Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band travelled to  Morocco to attend two festivals, marking the first return of the full band since the 1980s. 

A statement from the Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band follows below:

Gibraltar’s Pipes & Drums flew the flag for the Rock and Britain first in Larache, for the 13th edition of  the ‘Entrerritmos International Festival.’ The band led a parade of dancers and musicians  representing 20 countries across the world, from Costa Rica to Senegal, down Mohammed V Avenue  to the Place de la Liberation, to the delight of locals and dignitaries. A performance at a jam-packed Lixus Cultural Centre followed, topping our representation in Larache, which included the debuting of  our new Drummer’s Salute. The band moved north to Tangier to participate in the 3rd edition of the  ‘FICHTA Festival of Nations’, leading another parade of countries through the old town, starting by  the iconic Grand Café de Paris, down to the bustling Grand Socco and ending at the historical  landmarks of Bab Al Marsa and Muraille de Tanger. The band then returned to Tangier’s Marina Bay  the following day for a static performance for the crowds. 

The Pipe Major, Drum Major and Leading Drummer attended a gathering arranged by the festival’s  organisers at the Tangier Chamber of Commerce, with various dignitaries and politicians present,  including the Vice President of the Chamber and the Minister for Tourism for the Tanger-Tetouan-Al  Hoceima region, who repeatedly underscored the cultural, economic and political importance of  such events. An exchange of gifts followed, with the minister fondly recalling seeing the Sea Scouts  Pipe Band in Tangier during his youth.  

Pipe Major Tarik El-Yabani said: 

“One of my top aims for the band when I took over as Pipe Major was a return to Morocco. It has  been an intense few months of fundraising and hard work for us all, and it has been worth it. The  experience of sounding the skirl of the great highland bagpipe down the Grand Socco, possibly for  the first time in its history, will be an unforgettable experience, made even more special knowing we  were flying the flag for Gibraltar in a country with which our own government is working to boost  links with. 

“I’d like to sincerely thank my pipers and drummers for their year round commitment, their partners  for their patience and contribution to our highly successful cake stall, our private donors and all our  helpers. Lastly, I’d like to thank our sponsors, without whom this trip would not have been possible: Ministry of Culture, Highflyer Marketing, EastGate, Gedime Motors, Signature Litigation, Lewis  Stagnetto, Strait of Gibraltar Association, MH Bland, IPA Gibraltar, Balearia, uStore-it,.

“Preparations are already underway for next year’s trip!”