City of Brechin Pipe Band says it is determined to save 70 years of history being lost to Storm Babet.
In 2028, it will celebrate 150 years as the UK’s oldest civilian pipes and drums.
And the musicians want to do that in the pipe band hall which has been their home for 70 years.
But they have been in a temporary home since the building at The Inch was deluged by Storm Babet.
On Thursday, pipe major Craig Black made an emotional plea to Angus councillors not to bulldoze ahead with plans to demolish the hall.
It sits beside the former Brechin leisure centre and nearby empty flats at Meikle Mill.
Council chiefs want to clear those as part of the regeneration of the River Street area in the wake of the disaster.
Brechin Pipe Band member played at JFK funeral
Mr Black said he was proud to have led the band for almost 30 years.
Its historic honour roll includes a piper who played at the funeral of John F Kennedy.
“In three years’ time we will celebrate our 150th anniversary,” said Mr Black.
“We have 25 competing members and 15 learners, and now have a waiting list for young people wanting to learn.
“Being in the band teaches them so much more than just learning to play the pipes and drums,” he said.
The council has received an insurance offer which officers say will cover demolition costs for the old leisure centre and hall.
Mr Black told the full Angus Council meeting the band wants to return ‘home’, even with the risk of future flooding and the cost of increased insurance.
“We’re not being fussy or inflexible,” he said.
“But our band has specific needs – crucially a location that will not disturb residents at nine o’clock on a Wednesday practice night.
“After 70 years of leasing this property, we feel we should have been given time to consider options.”
‘No easy fix’ for Brechin flood problems
As part of the common good, moves to secure the demolition of the hall or a community asset transfer could take up to 18 months and require the approval of the courts.
Town councillor Jill Scott said: “All three Brechin councillors are well aware of the importance of Brechin Pipe Band. They make a considerable contribution to our community.
“However, we have to be realistic and meaningful in moving forward.
“The pipe band hall is just that, a hall for practice.”
Town colleague Chris Beattie added: “Every solution seems to bring with it a whole new set of problems.
“There is no easy fix here.”
The next stage of the Brechin recovery plan will be further consultation on a wide range of proposals.
As well as the future of the leisure centre and band hall, it includes plans to raise the height of the town’s flood wall by half a metre.
Crucially, it will also consider the future of nearly 80 empty council houses in the flood zone area. The voids are costing the authority almost £6,000 a week in lost rent.
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