I set out at the beginning of the year to do 25 moderate acts of kindness that were larger than everyday ones.  It was to celebrate my 25th year as Pipe Major of the Sons of Scotland.  Got it done.  I am pretty happy about that!

I hope that everyone enjoys their holidays and has a bit of fun - and if you need inspiration or support, reach out - there's to much to look forward to, and I will always do my part!
2026 and 2027 will bring lots of opportunities to have fun, do some travel, and really be around terrific people.  So, be ready for some great things to come your way - and I'll be sure to post them here.  
Take good care, and have some fun!
​Beth.

It's a great job to change up the band book, take out old music and add in new.  It's the chance to keep old tunes and make sure that everything is accurate - and I get to edit every single one.  It's a big job, but thankfully I have a few good people to help me!
​More to come.  One gracenote at a time!

A lot has been going on.  Planning for next month, next year, the next 5 years, new music, new trips, new players....it's a lot, but boy is it ever great.
​It snowed last night.  Before the traffic started, I got a picture.  It looks serene, kind of sparkly.  A truly Canadian change of season.  I hope where you are, you're great.

We played at the Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa at the Palette of Cultures concert in September - what an amazing cast of great talented people!
Get out in your community and support your local artistic groups.  You'll be glad you did!

BBC Northern Ireland got in touch about taping us in Ottawa for their program 'The Band' to air in January.
​They got a lot of terrific coverage of our band at practice and play, and I got to celebrate my family and our Irish heritage.  It was great fun!

It's not easy playing in the dead heat of summer.  You have to make sure you're well hydrated, rested, and fed before going out to play.  Even then, you need to keep an eye out for each other, and keep the performance short and sweet, and to the point.  Your audience will understand, appreciate, and likely agree with you!

I am piping today at Doors Open Ottawa.  One of many venues opened over the weekend to members of the public who otherwise would not be able to see inside, it's a very interesting way to see some terrific buildings. I will be at Earnscliffe, home of the British High Commission.  We have worked with them for years, and I have done many solo piping events for them, so it's nice to be playing there again.  Have a great day!

We have participated in the Invictus Games on 2 different occasion.  The first was in Europe, where we played in Dusseldorf, but traveled to Amsterdam, Cologne, Ypres, and Berlin.  We had a really great time and saw a lot of Europe in just a few days.
We took the opportunity then to be part of the massive band for Invictus 2025 in Vancouver, where the opening ceremonies saw 333 pipers and drummers open the show, which also included Chris Martin and Katy Perry.  
2027 sees Invictus taking place in Birmingham, England in July, and we are going to be part of the games with a big show and a stay in London - and we welcome you to have a look at the information on the pipe band website for details on how to join in as a piper, drummer, or guest.  It's all very exciting and fun!

I think it's important to mark events - no matter the size - because the opportunity might not come your way again.  If you need help, let me know.  Done lots, more to come!

Yesterday would have been Her Majesty's 99th birthday.  I met her in 1997, and later had the chance to take the pipe band to Balmoral Castle on 5 different occasions, extending the invitation to 700 other people.  That, my friend, is wonderful, as was she.

Our second annual Tartan Day show and reception at Beechwood Cemetery was a terrific success.  With music, tremendous poetry and tons of interesting history, there was something for everyone, and lots to enjoy.  Thanks everyone for coming out to support the pipe band.

It was a full house at Centrepointe Theatre in Nepean, Ontario, as the Red Hot Chilli Pipers kicked off their sold out tour of Ontario.  We are pleased to have been invited by our friend Tyler Fry - that's him in the middle - to join the band, and bring along some great dancers.  So, we did.  And are we glad we did!  Be sure to give them a listen - they're just terrific entertainers and musicians.  And they're our friends!  That's pretty cool.

The cool, modern Scottish rock band the Red Hot Chilli Pipers are coming to Ottawa to play on April 1.  One of their members, tenor drummer Tyler Fry, called to invite us to join them onstage for a few tunes.  This is a terrific opportunity, and I am grateful for friendships like this.  Enjoy the video of their work below. Or come see us!  That'll be great too!

I come up with ideas for sharing our music all the time.  This was a great one.  Invictus Canada, with a pipe band of 333.  What a time we had in Vancouver, and England is next, in 2027.  Let's go!

Planning events is something that I truly enjoy.  I get an idea, get a plan, and get to work and with the people in the band and in my circle of friends, sometimes the most excellent results come to be.  This December, we hosted a party to not only mark a holiday time, but it served as a successful fundraiser for the trip to the Invictus Games in Vancouver in February.  We had such terrific music and dance, a silent auction that was very helpful, and friends that filled the room with kindness and appreciation.  It was a great day to end this year, and we are looking forward to the next year with lots of fun and adventures.  All the best to you!

Alexander Fettes(1845-1921)Alexander Fettes was born in Laurencekirk and raised in Old Machar, Aberdeen. He was a stone mason by trade and served as pipe major of the Aberdeen Highlanders from about 1865-1879.
Afterwards he emigrated to South Africa and made a prominent life for himself there. He was Pipe Major of the Port Elizabeth Pipe Band and was several times mayor of Port Elizabeth.  He had a great influence on piping in South Africa and died there in 1921.
His composing claim to fame is “Glendaruel Highlanders,” which he composed when he was pipe major of the Aberdeen Volunteers. The young John MacDougall Gillies and his brother were an up-and-coming pipers in the band and their family had roots in Glendaruel area.

I looked this up when a student asked who the Glendaruel Highlanders were.  It was so nice to read this together, and get a better idea of a great tune composer.    Always learning.

The more you know....

I got to play for a pretty lovely wedding yesterday.  I met people who knew my dad and my brother, and that was just the best.  
​Share your music.  People will love you for it.

If you're lucky, you get the chance to work with terrific people.  We are so happy that our friends at Deacon Brodie's Pub and Moosehead have created a partnership that provides support of our upcoming travel, and a cool beer naming - Pipers Choice - that will go a long way in helping us achieve our goals.  Come out and try a pint, enjoy some music, and help us celebrate Canada Day 2024 in Ottawa!