There is something about a pipe band that turns a simple walk down the street into a “grand event.” For the North Shore Highlanders, marching is our way of connecting with the people of Port Dover. Whether it’s a parade…
While the North Shore Highlanders are a local community band, we owe a lot to the great military bands of Ontario, like the 48th Highlanders of Canada. These regiments set the standard for piping and drumming in North America, and…
To the uninitiated, the bagpipes might look like a confusing jumble of sticks and bags. But the Great Highland Bagpipe is actually a very logical instrument. It consists of the “chanter” (where the piper plays the melody), the “bag” (the…
The sound of the bagpipes has been part of Ontario’s DNA since the first Scottish settlers arrived on these shores. Thousands of families moved from the Highlands to the Great Lakes region, bringing their music, their language, and their traditions…
If you’ve ever watched a pipe band and seen the drummers in the middle row swinging their sticks in elaborate circles, you’ve seen the tenor drummers. This style of drumming is called “flourishing,” and it’s one of the most visual…
Being a pipe band in Port Dover means dealing with the extremes of Ontario weather. During the summer, we’re out in the heat, marching in parades and performing at the beach. But when the Lake Erie winds start to howl…
In the world of pipe band competitions, “ensemble” is the holy grail. It’s a judging category that doesn’t just look at how well the pipers play or how fast the drummers drum, but how well the two groups work together.…
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…
Finding a hobby that is both physically challenging and artistically rewarding can be tough for kids these days, but the North Shore Highlanders have the perfect solution. Learning the pipes or drums is a fantastic way for youth in Port…
The history of the bagpipes is deeply tied to the Canadian military, and one of the most incredible stories is that of James Richardson. During World War I, this Canadian piper played his comrades “over the top” of the trenches…