The Kenora Scottish Pipes & Drums

The Kenora Scottish Pipes & Drums band was formed in 1986, and has been a staple in the community ever since. The band celebrated their 30th anniversary celebration in 2016. Pipe Sergeant Cecil Burns discussed the band’s three decades plus long history.

“The pipe band has gone through a number of changes over the years. We started out as a learning band, then we became a competitive band. We drew pipers and drummers in from as far away as South Dakota and Saskatoon to play in the band. In 2000, the band went to Scotland and competed in the world pipe band championships and finished up 12th in Grade Four, which is pretty respectable for a first time. Since that time we’ve kind of gotten away from the competition side of things and focused on being a community band,” he said. Burns said it’s an amazing accomplishment to have lasted this long.

“It’s pretty amazing for a community this size to have a pipe band the size that we have, and then have it last for that long. Thirty years, it’s amazing. We have one player who was with the original group and is still playing with us, Bob Stewart – he’s been there since the beginning. At the 30th anniversary concert, Wesley Sheppard, who was our original Pipe Major came back and played with us, and did some solos,” he said.

The Kenora Scottish Pipes & Drums band play for various functions throughout Northwestern Ontario, such as Remembrance Day Ceremonies, graduations, etc. They also give lessons to those interested in playing bagpipes or the drums.