Booking the Band
Pipes and drums are sure to add drama and excitement to your next big event. To book the band for a performance or parade, please contact our Band Manager, Donald MacDonald at Donald@sospb.com We enjoy performing for many different groups, and very much enjoy supporting local and national charities. These have included:
ALS Canada, United Way of Ottawa Carleton, Alzheimers of Ottawa, The Canadian Cancer Soceity and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation among the many we do each and every year.
The Poppy Campaign in Ottawa, November 1, 2014
On Saturday, November 1, the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band welcomed friends and family to join them on the historic Sparks Street Mall to take part in a unique event to herald the start of the Poppy Campaign in Ottawa. At 1:00 pm, highland dancers from around the Ottawa region kicked off the festivities with a traditional Highland Fling and Sean Truibhas while Veterans, friends and VIPs cheered them on. After a lovely speech by MP Royal Galipeau, colleagues of the pipe band from as far away as CFB Trenton and Montreal began the piping and drumming concert which took them from the CBC studios on Sparks Street up to the National War Memorial to complete the show with laments in honor of WO Patrice Vincent and Cpl Nathan Cirillo. A fine day ended with a reception courtesy of the Eastview Legion in Vanier. Enjoy our photo slideshow below.
This event will take place every 2 years, and the date for the performance was
October 28, 2018, and we held one at Billings Bridge Plaza on November 3,2019 and we'll add the 2020 date onto our calendar once we confirm the date. It will be at Billings Bridge Plaza in Ottawa once again.
Song Suggestions
If you are interested in having highland music at your event, why not give a listen to some tracks for inspiration and ideas? Here are some most-requested tracks played on the pipes and drums...
Amazing Grace (Massed Band Version, from 2010 "B in the Park" show
Highland Cathedral (Band version, from Scotland Tonight show)
MacPherson's Lament (Band version, from Tartan Day Show)
Mairi's Wedding (Band version, from the Ceilidh in 2009)
Scotland the Brave (Band version, from Scotland Tonight Show)
Green Hills of Tyrol (You Tube sample, with a solo piper)
Flower of Scotland (You Tube sample with solo piper and extra instrumentation)
The Glendaruel Highlanders (You Tube sample as part of a band's medley)
The Road to the Isles (You Tube sample with extra instrumentation)
Amazing Grace (Massed Band Version, from 2010 "B in the Park" show
Highland Cathedral (Band version, from Scotland Tonight show)
MacPherson's Lament (Band version, from Tartan Day Show)
Mairi's Wedding (Band version, from the Ceilidh in 2009)
Scotland the Brave (Band version, from Scotland Tonight Show)
Green Hills of Tyrol (You Tube sample, with a solo piper)
Flower of Scotland (You Tube sample with solo piper and extra instrumentation)
The Glendaruel Highlanders (You Tube sample as part of a band's medley)
The Road to the Isles (You Tube sample with extra instrumentation)
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Montreal St. Patrick's Day Parade, 2012The crowd was huge on the warmest St. Patrick's Day Parade in Montreal in recorded history. The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band won the award of Best Pipe Band for the parade.
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The Royal Visit to Canada, 2010
Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion and many of her younger pupils had the wonderful opportunity to present flowers and gifts to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at the National Arts Centre on June 30, 2010. Pipe Major Bisaillion
also presented Her Majesty with a copy of a tune written in her honour titled 'The Royal Rant' which the band played in its medley in 2010
also presented Her Majesty with a copy of a tune written in her honour titled 'The Royal Rant' which the band played in its medley in 2010
The Royal Visit to Canada, 2011
On June 30, the band had the wonderful opportunity to perform at Rideau Hall for the first visit to Canada by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. They played for the youth bbq in the gardens, and afterwards Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion and piper Madeleine Thompson presented gifts handmade by Ms. Thompson to the Royal couple. They were delighted with the wonderful, thoughtful waistcoat and fascinator adorned with the Maple leaf tartan, as were the other guests - His Excellency Governor General David Johnston and his wife, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife. It was a wonderful occasion for many members of the pipe band and one they'll always remember..
The Sons Visit Royalty
Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion on CBC radio's All in a Day.
Listen to Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion's breaking interview with Alan Neal on CBC's All In a Day where she describes what it was like to meet and perform for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, August 19th, 2013 (link above)
Check out the piece aired by CBC News Ottawa: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Ottawa/ID/2399839028/
As well as a clip from CTVs Canada AM:
http://canadaam.ctvnews.ca/canadian-bagpipers-prepare-to-play-for-the-queen-in-scotland-1.1399472
St. Andrew's Courtship
Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion had the opportunity to compose a tune for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for their visit to Canada. In collaboration with her brother Lochie, they wrote a 2/4 hornpipe titled 'St. Andrew's Courtship' which the couple liked very much. It was a great honour for her to play the tune for them, and to present it to them afterwards. Here is the link to the CPAC site, and watch at 10:00 minutes in to hear the tune mentioned, and the reaction by the Duchess of Cambridge. Lovely!! Download the Video
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Smiths Falls competition, 17 April 2010 - Grade 4 Medley
The Grade 4 band did well at this competition, taking first place with their medley. Tunes are: Royal Scots Polka, Royal Rant (jig), Longueval (slow air), Mac an Irish (strathspey, Harvest Home (hornpipe) |
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Smiths Falls competition, 17 April 2010 - Grade 5 March Medley
The Grade 5 band took third place with this set. |
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Scotland Tonight Show - 22 November 2009
Sons of Scotland Pipe band performing "Bonnie Lass of Fyvie" at the "Scotland Tonight" show, November 22 2009 at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa. This variety show is an annual event put on by the band, organized by the Pipe Major, Bethany Bisaillion |
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Friday before The Worlds: some street scenes in Glasgow
Sons of Scotland Pipe Band plays for the RSPBA Parade through Glasgow the day before the World Pipe Band Championships.
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Tartan Day 2011The Scottish clans of Canada filled Parliament Hill to show
their colours in celebration of National Tartan Day on April 10, 2011. Among some of the first Voyageurs in Canada, the Scots have played an important role in shaping the nation. And with approximately 4.7 million Canadians claiming Scottish heritage, they continue to to this day. Immerse yourself in the celebration. |
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Scotland Tonight Slideshow - 2011A slideshow showing band members at their finest from the 2011 fundraising concert, Scotland Tonight.
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New York City 2008
The Sons of Scotland travelled to New York City in April 2008 to participate in the annual Tartan Day Parade. The parade caps off a week devoted to all things Scottish.
A Highland Wedding
Having a Highland Wedding? To make your special day authentic and traditional, why not consider having a piper, mini band, full band with dancers or honor guard as part of your wedding or reception; we can help you plan it out and make sure everything is wonderful, from the music to the presentation, and everything in between. Contact us at sospb@sospb.com for ideas, quotes and availability.
Sugar Artist: Martha Agnew, Atchison, Kansas, USA Cake Title: Highland Piper's Pride Award: Silver Certificate, Oklahoma Sugar Art Show, Grand National Wedding Cake Competition for Wedding Cakes Around the World. Description: Fondant covered cake with bagpipes formed from modeling chocolate For More Information, please contact Martha Agnew at coronarymadness@sbcglobal.net
Sugar Artist: Martha Agnew, Atchison, Kansas, USA Cake Title: Highland Piper's Pride Award: Silver Certificate, Oklahoma Sugar Art Show, Grand National Wedding Cake Competition for Wedding Cakes Around the World. Description: Fondant covered cake with bagpipes formed from modeling chocolate For More Information, please contact Martha Agnew at coronarymadness@sbcglobal.net