Bagpipes for sale
If you are looking for a good quality set of used bagpipes at a good price, drop me a line at bethany.bagpipes@sympatico.ca All come ready to play and in great condition.
Donating to the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band
If you want to support the work of the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, please visit the site at www.sospb.com to see the band's work, and email PM Bethany Bisaillion at sospb@sospb.com for more information. The band looks for support for their work in many ways. Tax receipts available. Thank you!
Ottawa Piping and Drumming Events
For information on upcoming piping and drumming events, please visit the Pipers and Pipe Band Society site at www.ppbso-ottawa.org and be sure to come out to support your local musicians.
The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry
A project to involve communities around the world in the celebration of Scottish heritage and culture has come to Ottawa, and you can be a part of it! Visit their site at www.scottishdiasporatapestry.org to register your stories about your Scottish ancestry, or to sign up to help be a part of creating a tapestry...sewing experience not required!
The Ottawa City Piping College - new location...
The Ottawa City Piping College now has a 2nd location in Ottawa's Barrhaven and a 3rd in Bells Corners - contact us at collegeofpiping@sympatico.ca if you live out in Ottawa's west end and want information on beginner chanter lessons. Excellence and fun guaranteed!
Scotland Trip 2013
The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band is again taking a historic trip to Scotland in August of 2013. The trip shall include visits to Stirling, Blair Atholl and Edinburgh Castles as well as the Palace of HolyroodHouse in Edinburgh. But a superb opportunity has once again come our way - we have the chance to visit Her Majesty The Queen in a private performance at Balmoral Castle. This shall be a wonderful occasion for everyone...happy to say now that our trip is fully booked - we may have some vacancies, so get in touch!
60 - A Celebration of the Diamond Jubilee
A terrific concert held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to mark the 60th year of Her Majesty The Queen as our monarch. Thank you to everyone who came to take part ~ your support and participation were very much appreciated. Please visit the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band site at www.sospb.com for photos and video of the day's events.
The Sons Band Schedule
The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band's terrific drumming and piping program is accepting new players this year. Drop us a line if you want to come out at sospb@sospb.com All levels and ages welcome.
All Tartan
Need a kilt, sporran, jacket or anything else for your piping, drumming or just highland needs? Visit www.alltartan.com today - located in Ottawa, Canada, Sean Murphy is able to handle many of your uniform needs in a quick and affordable manner.
Eagle Pipers Society
The Eagle Pipers' Society was founded in Edinburgh, Scotland by John A. MacLellan, George Stoddart, and Pat Sandeman at the Eagle Bar (now the Ensign Ewart) in 1960. The Society would meet informally to enjoy a bevy and of course some light music and playing of the Ceol Mor. After a worthy period of activity, the Society went into hibernation until awakened recently by Colin MacLellan, Euan Anderson and Iain Speirs (all well known and accomplished pipers). The Society meets regularly in Edinburgh at the Scots Guards Club. For a full history, please visit The Eagle Pipers' Society history web page at www.eaglepipers.wordpress.com
The Royal Fascinator...
A long time after June 30, a list was posted for the Royal couple listing all the gifts they were presented on their overseas visit. Among them were the fascinator and vest made by Sons of Scotland piper Madeleine Thompson. It looks like a British journalist thgught the items were less than wonderful, and wrote just that. The story was picked up by the Canadian national newspaper The Globe and Mail, and Ms. Thompson decided to defend her position as gift maker and gift giver...and then the story took off even more! Having been part of the process the entire time, I can say with all certainty that the gifts were made well, they were very suitable, and well received by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Here is the link to the story in the Ottawa Metro on January 13:
http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/canada/article/1070459--canadian-gift-to-royals-comes-under-scrutiny Scottish Trivia...
So many interesting facts on Scotland - some of them are quite surprising! Enjoy....
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/9007300/Scottish-referendum-50-fascinating-facts-you-should-know-about-Scotland.html Haggis Delivery
Looking for a company to purchase Haggis or other Burns-related items from? Check out The Scottish Store at
http://www.scottish-haggis.net/index.html for all your Burns needs today! Sons of Scotland Pipe Band
The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band is always looking for new players. if you're keen to come out and join up with the Sons, drop us a line at sospb@sospb.com - Canada's oldest civilian pipe band celebrating its 117th anniversary in 2013.
Champion people, Champion Music! www.sospb.com Scottish Music Site
For something different and educational, visit http://kistoriches.com/gd/ to listen to interesting Scottish and Gaelic songs, music, stories, poetry and facts in English and Scots Gaelic!
Scotland in Pictures.
A wonderful selection of photos of Scotland - http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/visual-arts/scotland_in_pictures_autumn_1_1916493
Bagpipe Tune Website
There is a new site with 7000 pipe tunes for everyone to use free of charge; visit www.ceolsean.net to see what a great resource there is available.
A new cd...
Bethany Bisaillion is releasing her 15th cd on October 19 and it is a compilation cd with performances by herself with many fine musicians and solos from other projects - preorder yours today for only $15.00 with part of the proceeds going towards supporting the Ottawa City Piping College. Email bethany.bagpipes@sympatico.ca for your copy today - a limited number will be available...Looking for a great Christmas present? Only a few left on sale....email me anytime for your copy.
New Website
Visit the new, revamped Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ottawa's website at www.ppbso-ottawa.org for information on piping and drumming in the Ottawa region.
Mod Ottawa
The Gaelic Society of Ottawa is always looking for new members; visit them at http://www.gaidhligottawa.ca/ for more information on this great group of people.
Annual Scotland Trip - The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band
Each August the members of the Sons of Scotland take a trip to Scotland to play and compete. They perform at shows in spectacular venues, for large and appreciative audiences, and they truly represent Canada well. Guests, highland dancers and other pipers and drummers are welcomed to enquire as to traveling and even performing with the band on their summer journey to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and more.
 The Royal Visit to Ottawa
Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion was pleased to be part of the Canadian Citizenship ceremony held July 1 at the Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec. She played and presented the tune 'St. Andrew's Courtship' for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The Royal Visit to Ottawa
Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion is pleased to announce the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band of Ottawa played for and presented gifts to the Royal Couple during their visit to Canada.
Government of Canada Makes Maple Leaf Tartan an Official Symbol of Canada
OTTAWA, March 9, 2011 - It's official! Canada's Maple Leaf Tartan, which has been our unofficial national tartan for many years, has now become an official symbol of Canada.
"The Maple Leaf Tartan has been worn proudly and enjoyed by Canadians for decades, but has never been elevated to the level of an official symbol–until now," said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "Our national symbols express our identity and define our history. The Maple Leaf Tartan represents the contributions that the more than four million Canadians of Scottish heritage continue to make to our country," added Minister Moore. The Maple Leaf Tartan was created in 1964 by David Weiser in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of Confederation in 1967. "The tartan is one of the most visual expressions of Scottish heritage and culture," said the Honourable John Wallace, Senator (New Brunswick). "Making the Maple Leaf Tartan an official symbol of Canada highlights the many significant contributions that people of Scottish heritage have made to the founding of Canada." The Second Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Pipes and Drums has adopted the Maple Leaf Tartan, and National Defence Headquarters has approved it for issue for Canadian Forces pipers and drummers who do not have a specific regimental affiliation. It was also featured in costumes worn last year during the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. On October 21, 2010, the Government of Canada announced that April 6 will be formally recognized as Tartan Day. This April 6, Canadians across the country will be able to celebrate this day with a new official symbol of Canada. As an official symbol of Canada, the Maple Leaf Tartan joins Canada's most significant emblems, such as the Coat of Arms and the National Flag of Canada. Minister Moore Officially Declares April 6 as Tartan Day
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 21, 2010) - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, announced today that the Government of Canada will now officially recognize April 6 as Tartan Day.
"A tartan represents a clan, a family, and a community, and is an enduring symbol of Scotland that is cherished by Canadians of Scottish ancestry," said Minister Moore. "Many Canadian provinces and other countries already celebrate Tartan Day. As well, through Tartan Day, Canadians will have an opportunity to learn more about the various cultures that comprise Canadian society." Tartan Day originated in the late 1980s in Nova Scotia, where it was declared an official day by the provincial government. It then spread across the country, with many provinces joining in. This marks the first time the Day has been recognized by the federal government. "By officially recognizing this Day, we encourage Canadians all across the country to celebrate the contributions that over four million Canadians of Scottish heritage continue to make to the foundation of our country," said Senator John Wallace, who recently introduced a bill in the Senate in support of nationally declaring Tartan Day. In Canada, Tartan Day is celebrated on April 6, the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish declaration of independence. Tartan Day celebrations typically include parades of pipe bands, Highland dancing and sports, and other Scottish-themed events. This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom. |
   A Highland Slideshow |
