Did you know the Great Highland Bagpipe only plays nine notes? It’s true! We play from low G to high A, and because we have no sharps or flats, we don’t even need a key signature. For the North Shore… No Sharps, No Flats, No Problem
In Scottish Gaelic, the bagpipe is called Pìob Mhòr, which literally translates to “The Big Pipe.” It’s an appropriate name, isn’t it? When the North Shore Highlanders strike up in Port Dover, Ontario, there’s nothing small about the sound or… The “Big Pipe”: Gaelic Roots in Port Dover
You might have heard the term “bagpipe lung”—it sounds like a myth, but it’s actually a real thing! Because pipes hold moisture, they can become a breeding ground for fungi if they aren’t cleaned. For the North Shore Highlanders in… Bagpipe Lung: Why We Keep it Clean
While we’re a proud fixture of Port Dover, Ontario, the bagpipes actually started their journey thousands of years ago in places like Egypt and Rome. It wasn’t until the Romans brought them to Scotland that the “third drone” was added,… The Origin Story: Ancient Pipes on Modern Shores
There’s nothing quite like a traditional Robbie Burns Night to shake off the winter blues! Every year, the North Shore Highlanders host our signature fundraiser at the Port Dover Community Centre, and it’s always a night to remember. From the… Celebrating Robbie Burns Night in the Heart of Port Dover
The Internet – October 31-November 27, 2025 – The latest “live online” solo piping contest run by the Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers saw the usual worldwide entry of adult pipers who performed over two days via recorded live video,… CLASP live online solo piping
Inspired in part by the Band Room Masters Solo Drumming Championship run by the late great pipe band drummer and judge Joe Noble in 1997, Inveraray & District member Cam Lawson is organizing “The Masters,” an invitational competition for eight of the… Eight snare drumming masters to compete in new solo championship Jan. 31st
As we head into the 2026 season, the North Shore Highlanders are more excited than ever. We have a calendar full of local gigs, from the classic Friday the 13th gatherings to our own community fundraisers. We’ve been working on… Looking Ahead: The 2026 Season in Port Dover
There is no tune more requested or more beloved than Amazing Grace. Originally a hymn, it became a bagpipe staple in the 1970s and has since become the “unofficial anthem” for memorials and celebrations alike. For the North Shore Highlanders,… Amazing Grace: Why This Song Moves Us
Recent Canada pipe band news includes the 78th Fraser Highlanders and Peel Regional Police bands’ performance at the 2025 World Pipe Band Championships, a BC pipe band tour in the Netherlands, and a recent collaboration between the Paris Port Dover… News Oct 2025