If you want to know the “dirty secret” of the North Shore Highlanders, it’s that our instruments are held together by yellow string and electrical tape. To keep the joints of the pipes airtight in the Port Dover, Ontario weather, we use “hemp”—a special thread coated in beeswax. It’s a low-tech solution for a high-pressure instrument.
We also use “chanter tape” to fine-tune individual notes. By covering just a tiny sliver of a hole on the chanter, we can change the pitch of a note to match the rest of the band. It’s a constant battle against the humidity of Lake Erie, which loves to make our wood expand and contract.
Maintenance is a daily chore for every member of our Port Dover band. We’re constantly re-hemping and re-taping to make sure we sound perfect for our next Norfolk County gig. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the “glue” that keeps the band together!
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!
