The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band is pleased to be practising in person again on Monday nights at St. Barnabus Church at 70 James Street (entrance on Kent Street) from 7 to 9 pm on Monday evenings. We welcome you to get in touch about attending, at bethany.bagpipes@sympatico.ca
Whisky Ottawa 2023 - come along and enjoy the fun! This year it's at the Shaw Centre, Ottawa, and a mini band from the Sons of Scotland will be playing on Saturday evening.
Celeidh playing with friends Tuesday, June 6 at the Sir John A. MacDonald building for the unveiling of the portrait of former Speaker of the House of Commons, Geoff Regan. He's a good east coaster and we really enjoyed ourselves! Here are some memories of the evening.
The highland events
Scotland journeys
The annual trip to Scotland started back in 2003 when a group of players showed interest in traveling overseas. Since that time, the band has gone every year for 10 days in August, and each trip is different and just wonderful. In 2005, the band received permission to perform at the Palace of HolyroodHouse in Edinburgh, which they have done most years since then, and it is a great honour for everyone in attendance. That was the same year that the band also requested and received permission to perform for Her Majesty The Queen at Balmoral Castle in Ballater, Scotland. They planned this performance to include dancers and their guests, and the group of 95 had an amazing time. But this wasn't to be the last time the band would have this incredible opportunity. In 2013, 2015 and 2018 the band would again receive permission to perform for Her Majesty and other members of the Royal Family, with so many people enjoying this wonderful venue and show of a lifetime.
The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band's annual trip to Scotland in 2015 was incredible. The band had the great opportunity to perform for the first time in Dublin, where they did shows in support of Mansion House's 300th anniversary, they busked on Grafton Street, and did a double decker bus performance sponsored by Dublin Bus Tours which included a stop at the Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse, and this made for a memorable day indeed. The rest of the time the band stayed in Edinburgh where they did many shows including performances at Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of HolyroodHouse, on the famed Royal Mile as part of the Fringe Festival, and in Glasgow at both the World Pipe Band Championships and in the pre-Worlds parade held by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association. The band was also guests of the Canadian Massed Pipes and Drums who invited them along to perform in a show celebrating the 200th anniversary of Sir John A. MacDonald's birthday at a private performance for Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Balmoral Castle. It was a tremendous opportunity, and everyone in the band and our guests had just a wonderful time. There is a video here and on Facebook - and a lovely photo of myself with Her Majesty in the slideshow below. Being on Canada AM to talk about the trip was a great experience, and having People Magazine pick up the story was something else! Enjoy seeing the interview and reading the story here - Princess Charlotte Pinafore Story For information on how you can be part of future trips, please email Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion at sospb@sospb.com and to donate to the band's work, get in touch anytime. Thank you!
Visit this link to watch PM Bisaillion on Canada AM speaking on her visits with Her Majesty The Queen with the many members of the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band and their wonderful dancers and guests. An honour.
World Travel Opportunities
The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band enjoys wonderful travel opportunities, and as their PM it is an honor to help organize these trips. We have been to New York City a few times for Tartan Week, to play in China as guests of the Rideau Stone Arts Centre, to France in 2017 and 2019, and to Scotland every year since 2003. Enjoy this slideshow of memories from some of these wonderful journeys.
Anarkilt on Zazzle
It's fun to design different t shirts. Sometime it's nice to have options. Buy yours today on Zazzle - visit the online shop here at Anarkilt
SCOTDANCE CANADA JULY 2025 OTTAWA CANADA Information to come
National Tartan Day in Ottawa, 2019
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
It is an honor to visit the Eagle Pipers Society meetings in Edinburgh when we visit in August. Located at the famed Scots Guards Club in the Haymarket area, this society has a storied and grand history of supporting the celtic arts. Visit them here to read about their history and to visit any meeting during the year. You have to go for the people, the pints, and the meat pies - all stellar and so memorable - and you can support them online anytime at https://eaglepipers.wordpress.com/membership/
The PM participated in their recent contest, and placed in 2 categories. Those were hard-earned wins!! Enjoy her work here!