The North Devon Pipes and Drums were formed in Barnstaple, Devon, UK, in 1987.

Later, in 1990, their tartan, the Devon Original, was accredited by the Council of the Scottish Tartan Society and the accreditation certificate is displayed in the Barnstaple Guildhall.

The Devon Tartan
Designed by Roy Sheard in the early 1980s, the green Tartan reflects the beauty of the glorious Devon countryside, whilst the blue Tartan symbolises the county's two coastlines celebrating Devon's long & illustrious connection with the sea. (Coldharbour Mill)

The Devon Original and Devon Companion tartans owe their origin to the success of the Cornish St Piran sett, which was woven by Coldharbour Mill in the early 1980's. The accreditation certificate was presented to the Mayor of Barnstaple in 1991.

A Poem written by M.J.Miles

Dark Green depicts Wild Exmoor's windswept heights,                                                                                                                                                         And upland flocks of sheep are shown in White.                                                                                                                                                                    Light Green: lush meadows edged by sparkling stream,                                                                                                                                                    Where graze producers of our Milk and Cream

Majestic Dartmoor, bleak and boulder strewn,                                                                                                                                                                           Its grim grandeur by Grey on our cloth shown:                                                                                                                                                                       There, ancient monuments gaze up to older Tors,                                                                                                                                                                   There, granite bound, the prison bars its doors   

Ruby Red cattle, deer and red soil too,                                                                                                                                                                                     These are all there in stripe of red-brown hue.                                                                                                                                                                            The Yellow thread speaks of the primrose fair,                                                                                                                                                                           In high banked lanes, 'midst wealth of plant life there.                                                                                                                                                                So, in the mind. Devon's beauty is retrieved,                                                                                                                                                                              By contemplating Devon's tartan weave.

 

The bands previous Pipe Major, Andy Edgar, is a serving member of the RAF and a 5 time winner in solo piping competition within the RAF. Upon leaving the band, due to commitments with the RAF, Andy wrote a tune for the band titled "Andy's farewell to the NDPD" which has been incorporated into one of the sets the band plays.