Two photographs of Deanston Works Brass Band in Perthshire. The first c. 1860, the second c. 1910. The band was formed in May 1853. Its first conductor was Mr Watts, the manager of the Adelphi Cotton Mill in Deanston, where most, if not all, of the band were employed.
The mill was the first in Britain to produce its own coins and paper money for issue to its workers, which was designed to overcome a shortage of currency in circulation at the time (the late 1700’s). In 1858, a young boy named Daniel McDonald, who was a drummer in the band, lost an arm in an accident at the mill where he worked. It was also known as Doune Brass Band by local people.
The band was active through to WW1. After the mill closed the building was converted into a whisky distillery, in 1966.
IBEW - the History of Brass Bands 