In spite of the fact that it looks like Coastal Scottish Pipe Band WA wears just another common pipe band day dress uniform, it is certainly unique in one way.  It is the only pipe band in the world which uses the Ancient MacLaine of Lochbuie Clan Tartan for their kilts. 
As told, the ancient colours of the tartan, an imitation of the original vegetable dyes, were likely chosen to reflect the ancient history of the band.   However, we are informed that the members most liked the Ancient MacLaine of Lochbuie Clan Tartan when given a choice of several tartans by the executive of the band.  It was important to them all that it was distinctive and not worn by other bands.  We now know that this last remark is certainly true.  The tartan has been worn since 1969 and the band has become almost famous for it especially considering that it is only worn by Coastals and is therefore recognisable all over the Australian continent.  The only problem with this exclusiveness is that it is difficult for the band to acquire material for new members.  Manufacturers insist that enough material for eight kilts be purchased before they will make the tartan for the band. 

2009 saw a in the colour of the band shirts from white short sleeved uniform style to dark grey long sleeve business style shirt. Accompanying this shirt is a black waistcoat. The ties are also grey colour with a distinctive shine.  The jacket worn by the band is a black woollen Argyle type day dress jacket.  This type of day dress jacket was chosen for comfort and it is the modern choice of most bands in Australia. 

The band wears a black Glengarry, clearly displaying the band's badge.  The Glengarry has a black toorie.  The band wears black leather belts with a chrome buckle.  A black leather sporran with three black leather tassels is worn.  The band does not wear a kilt pin as it is considered an unnecessary expense.  Members are permitted to wear a kilt pin at their own expense, but during contests it must be removed.  This is  because the band will loose points on the judging of the dress if every member does not wear the same items of dress.  This also applies to a sgian dubh (hidden dagger) which is worn in the right hose by some members.  The hose are dark grey to match the shirt and the flashes are a silvery colour to compliment the hose.  The band marches on black leather ghillie brogues.

I have reported previously that the band used other uniforms in the past.  It would not be proper to neglect those uniforms in this book although no MacLaine tartan was worn at the time.  The band started with the Gordon tartan, which changed to Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1927 and then again to the Royal Stewart Tartan in 1938 which was worn until 1969.  The uniforms worn in those days were the Full Highland Dress type and clearly different from the current one.  This Full Highland Dress finds its origin in the military No1 (Ceremonial) Dress, which is a reflection of the uniform that has been worn by the Scottish soldier up until the end of the 19^th century.  The pipers wore the large piper's 'fly plaid', which contains approximately the same amount of woollen tartan material as the kilt.  The cross belt, a left over from the time when army pipers wore the broadsword, was worn above that, and on the kilt the hair sporran completed the impressive look of the full dressed piper.  The drummers used the 'belted plaid', which differs from the piper's plaid in the fact that it contains far less tartan material and it is not wrapped around the body, but 'flied' free from the shoulder.  Remarkable is that the Drum Major of Coastal pipe band was the only one who wore the feather bonnet, though this head dress is commonly worn both by drummers and drum major, or sometimes indeed the whole band.  Finances certainly played a part in this and over time it became 'acceptable' to have only the Drum Major fully turned out.

It is clear that the full dress contains far more items than the present day dress and some of those items, like the tartan plaid and the woollen high collared doublet (jacket) are very hot and uncomfortable to perform in.  Just imagine how it must have been to wear this as a combat dress!  The exact reason why most modern pipe bands, like Coastals, choose the more comfortable day dress for their nowadays combat; the pipe band competition.

The competition scene is not a strange world for Coastals.  Since the re-commencement of competition after World War 2 the band has entered most competitions in Western Australia with much success.

 In 1989 the band recorded their concert and produced "Pipes Alive" tape as a fundraising venture. As far as Western Australia was concerned this recording at the time, had some ground breaking medleys and tunes which are still talked about today.

Most recent successes for the band were winning the New Zealand Pipe Band Championships Grade 4 in 2007, and the WA Pipe Band Championships Grade 3 in 2008.  Sections of the band have also gained trophies, such as during the Armadale Mini Band Competitions in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.   In the Rockingham Pipe Band Drum Fanfare competition in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and  2007, the drum corps won first place each year.  Coastals strives to enter as many contests held in Western Australia as possible.  It is considered unusual when Coastals do not appear at these competitions.  Performing as a competition band requires practice and therefore Coastals spends much time on the training and improving of the skills of the current members of the band.  The band is well known as a teaching band and considers it important to instruct young people in piping and drumming. Many of the younger members have been taught at Coastals. In 2009, the band looks forward to travelling to the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland and hope to also bring back a trophy or two!

Since 2002 the band has a new Pipe Major, Mrs. Maureen Barnett.  She is the first female Pipe Major for Coastals and has the band progressing well.  Mrs. Barnett comes from the Armadale City Pipe Band where she played for many years.  The previous Pipe Major was Barry Walker who accepted the role of Pipe Major while employed with the WA Police Pipe Band which is the only Grade 1 band in Western Australia.   Coastals continue to have a good working relationship with the WA Police although these connections can sometimes have a less beneficial side.  Several members of Coastals have in the past left the band to play with the WA Police Pipe Band.  However Coastals continue to gain new recruits with 2005/2006 seeing membership of pipers and drummers increase dramatically. Barry Walker has once again joined Coastals as Contest Pipe Major and still hold the rins after winning  the New Zealand Pipe Band Championships in 2007.  Barry will also be the Pipe Major for the World Championships in Scotland in 2009.

The drummers are led and taught by the longest serving current member, Drum Sergeant Graeme Gurney.  He joined the band in 1965 and although he retired for 9 years, rejoined in 1988 and now continues to serve the band with distinction.  Graeme was awarded Life Membership in 1992 as reward for his dedication to the band.  Graeme holds an Advanced Certificate in drumming for the Australian College of Piping and Drumming and is on the Western Australian judging panel.  Of course, Graeme composes all the drumming scores for the band, both for snares, bass and tenors.

As might be expected, competition is not the only public appearance for Coastals.  Street parades, concerts, agricultural shows, weddings and funerals are named amongst the list of performances.  During shows, Coastal does not solely perform as a pipe band, but musical challenges with other instruments are part of the program.  Some of the band members play complimentary instruments, like the band owned drum kit.

Coastals are aiming for at least another 100 years of quality pipe band music.  Hopefully this goal also secures the wearing of the rather unique Ancient MacLaine of Lochbuie tartan for the future. 

We can only wait and see.

Coastals Hat Badge and tartan was worn by the band in the mid 1900's.
This was also said to have been crafted at the Midland Railway
Workshops.