If you were to peek inside a Highlander’s pipe case, you’d find a lot more than just the instrument. To keep a set of pipes running in the Port Dover humidity, you need a full survival kit. We carry things like yellow hemp for sealing joints, beeswax for waterproofing, and a variety of “reeds” made from Spanish cane that are as temperamental as a Hollywood diva.
Then there are the modern gadgets. Most of us use moisture control systems—essentially a series of tubes and canisters inside the bag—to keep the air hitting the reeds at just the right level of dryness. We also carry spare valves, seasoning for the leather bags, and a roll of black electrical tape (the “duct tape” of the piping world) for emergency repairs on the fly.
Maintaining the pipes is a daily ritual. We spend almost as much time cleaning and adjusting our gear as we do practicing the tunes. It’s a labor of love that ensures when we step out onto the streets of Port Dover, our instruments are reliable and our sound is top-notch.
Want to see the North Shore Highlanders Pipe & Drum Band, Port Dover, Ontario in action?
Catch our next performance in the heart of Norfolk County!