The band can trace its roots back to the first kilted pipe
band in the RAF, No.8 Advanced Flying Training School
(AFTS). No.8 AFTS Pipe Band wore the Graham tartan
(Montrose) and RAF Dress jackets, cut away at the front
with dog collars.
This Pipe Band ceased to exist during WWII and all the
equipment was stored at RAF Montrose until the end of the
war. At the end of hostilities it was found that the kilts
and plaids were moth eaten and could not be used. In 1950,
No.63 Maintenance Unit (MU) of RAF Montrose moved to RAF
Edzell, taking with it what remained of the stored
equipment and formed a band, again consisting mainly of
National Servicemen. Flt Lt George N Sutherland, who had
been a piper at RAF Montrose, was given this task. One of
the ingenious ways he raised funds to equip the band was to
turn part of RAF Edzell into a farm, the profits of which
went to the band. Flt Lt Sutherland was given free reign to
choose the tartan and naturally he chose the Ancient
Sutherland tartan.
LAC George Sutherland circa 1936