THE HIGHLY recognisable figure of Drum Major Dick Hamilton will be stepping down from Tayside Police Pipe Band tomorrow after 30 years as drum major.

Mr Hamilton, who stands 6ft 7.5in without bearskin, will lead the massed pipes and drums in Dundee for the Armed Forces Day Parade.

Speaking last night he said, “I felt after 30 years it was time to move on.

“It will be an emotional occasion for me as I joined the band as a tenor drummer in 1974.

“I have played alongside the Gurkhas, Gordon Highlanders and Canadian Massed Pipes and Drums, but Saturday will be the first time alongside the Royal Marines.”

The towering figure has been a familiar sight at parades in Dundee and beyond.

Until a couple of years ago he was in charge of the massed pipes and drums at the Royal Braemar Gathering.

He gave up that role shortly after leaving Tayside Police with 36 years’ service under his belt.

His musical career has taken him all over the world and is still keeping him busy appearing at corporate events and festivals.

Mr Hamilton has led the pipes and drums at several Scottish Cup finals at Hampden and also the massed bands of the Scottish Police Force at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh 1986.

He was rewarded for his services with the massed bands of Dundee with an invitation to the Queen’s Garden Party at Holyrood Palace in 1995 where the Queen and other members of the royal party congratulated him when he celebrated 25 years leading the massed bands at Braemar.

Mr Hamilton will not be taking his leave of the pipe band world as he continues as drum major and bass drummer for the Mains of Fintry Pipe Band.