The Sons of Scotland has been going to Scotland every year since 2003, and they enjoy a different program every year. The main focus is the World Pipe Band Championships held in Glasgow Green, but they are certainly open to adding many different performances and cities into their itinerary. We will be performing in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, and we will have many interesting venues to visit!
If your band is traveling to Scotland and you need contest information, please visit the RSPBA page here. For 2023, the registration for all contests is now open, as of March 13. Be sure to pay to compete, and you will see an email of confirmation right away. From there, you will be sent information on coach parking at Glasgow Green for the Worlds. But don't delay on booking a coach for that day - often coach companies book up quickly.
A full line up of highland games in 2023 can be found here too.
They look for new and interesting partners to work with, and have enjoyed performances with many groups including The Royal Blind Charity, Blesma,Bright Bus Tours, Caledonian Brewery, Hibernian FC, Marie Curie, and many more, and they have performed in many cities during their visits including London, Belfast, Culloden, Inverness, Loch Ness, Perth, Crieff, Dublin, Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh. They have also enjoyed performing on 5 occasions at Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
Some great memories of our 2022 journey: Pipes/Drums article
An article on our dancer Gabby Pealer
If you wish to travel with the band in 2024, please message Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion at bethany.bagpipes@sympatico.ca The page following has payment dates and member information that is secure, but if you need to access it email Beth. All attendees are required to have their own trip and health insurance for our journey.
Information on membership available too here for traveling pipe bands from Canada on this page from the PPBSO.
Please note the dates for payment and be sure to keep in touch about any changes to your plans. If you want to see more of the UK, be sure to let Beth know that you will be booking your own flights but need a room. We will also be fundraising again for the coach costs in 2023.
Here is the show for 2023:
Drum tap into position with dancers.
Highland Cathedral slow air
The Green Hills of Tyrol and When the Battle's Over 3/4 marches
Highland Dance
The Maple Leaf Forever and the Thistle of Scotland 4/4 marches
When the Pipers Play slow air
HIghland Dance
Worlds Set
Glendaruel Highlanders, Bonnie Dundee and Steam Boat 6/8 marches
Skye Boat Song and Flower of Scotland slow airs
Drum Salute (to come)
The Rowan Tree, Scotland the Brave and Wings
Black Bear (pt 1) and No Awa Tae Bide Awa
If your band is traveling to Scotland and you need contest information, please visit the RSPBA page here. For 2023, the registration for all contests is now open, as of March 13. Be sure to pay to compete, and you will see an email of confirmation right away. From there, you will be sent information on coach parking at Glasgow Green for the Worlds. But don't delay on booking a coach for that day - often coach companies book up quickly.
A full line up of highland games in 2023 can be found here too.
They look for new and interesting partners to work with, and have enjoyed performances with many groups including The Royal Blind Charity, Blesma,Bright Bus Tours, Caledonian Brewery, Hibernian FC, Marie Curie, and many more, and they have performed in many cities during their visits including London, Belfast, Culloden, Inverness, Loch Ness, Perth, Crieff, Dublin, Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh. They have also enjoyed performing on 5 occasions at Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
Some great memories of our 2022 journey: Pipes/Drums article
An article on our dancer Gabby Pealer
If you wish to travel with the band in 2024, please message Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion at bethany.bagpipes@sympatico.ca The page following has payment dates and member information that is secure, but if you need to access it email Beth. All attendees are required to have their own trip and health insurance for our journey.
Information on membership available too here for traveling pipe bands from Canada on this page from the PPBSO.
Please note the dates for payment and be sure to keep in touch about any changes to your plans. If you want to see more of the UK, be sure to let Beth know that you will be booking your own flights but need a room. We will also be fundraising again for the coach costs in 2023.
Here is the show for 2023:
Drum tap into position with dancers.
Highland Cathedral slow air
The Green Hills of Tyrol and When the Battle's Over 3/4 marches
Highland Dance
The Maple Leaf Forever and the Thistle of Scotland 4/4 marches
When the Pipers Play slow air
HIghland Dance
Worlds Set
Glendaruel Highlanders, Bonnie Dundee and Steam Boat 6/8 marches
Skye Boat Song and Flower of Scotland slow airs
Drum Salute (to come)
The Rowan Tree, Scotland the Brave and Wings
Black Bear (pt 1) and No Awa Tae Bide Awa
a new partnership in scotland
We are very pleased to have contacted the wonderful people at the new Stirling Distillery, and we had a superb visit, tasting and show during our trip to Scotland and Stirling - have a look at their shop here and see what they have - it's really fantastic!
highlights of our 2022 trip courtesy of gwynn mcintosh with our sincere thanks!
dancers - your calendar for competitions is on this site
dancers - want to perform at the fringe? visit this page for details
pipers - the fringe offers 40 minute slots on the royal mile for solo pipers - if you want to sign up, visit this page for registration info.
sponsor - bright bus tours
a great tour around edinburgh on august 15 - what a fantastic time we all had!
balmoral castle private performance, 2018
scotland trip 2023
If you are interested in going with us in 2023, please complete this form and send your details in to Beth. All applications will be considered, but space is limited. Thank you.
helpful information and more
Edinburgh flats - napier university at 6 bainfield drive
The flats are located in the west end of Edinburgh. There is a Sainsbury Express on the main floor, and a LIDL grocery shop about 10 minutes walk away, close by that has a lot of food at good prices.
Here are some helpful hints and information to make our upcoming trip to Scotland its best.
Before you go...Make sure you have your passport. Good idea to make a photocopy of it and leave it at home in case you lose it. Leave it in your room in your flat, and only bring it out to visit venues requiring id. Don’t carry any liquids in your carry on bags. Don’t travel with your knives or pointy objects in piper’s maintenance kits. Pack your earplugs for the plane, and something to read. Bring a sweater on board in your pipe case – helps you snuggle up and sleep. Some flights do not provide meals, so make sure to plan to purchase something to eat/drink at the airport.
A purchase of travel insurance is recommended and it's a good idea to let your credit card company know you're traveling so they don't flag your card. I always order UK currency at my bank's main branch to have sent to my local one, and they call when it gets in - very handy. Do that early so you're not in a rush when you need it. Bank machines take our debit cards too.
Pack your music. Pad, chanter and sticks are all required for practices in the flats. Be sure to be ready to hit the ground playing! Daily practice and daily play is what we are doing, and we keep working at it until it's superb.
What to pack... Scotland gets rain. Pack a raincoat, an umbrella, and a good shopping bag. Comfy shoes are a must - you'll do lots of walking. Your room's wardrobe may have hangers, or may not, depending on the previous tenant, so pack a couple to be sure. Pipe band folk - roll up your kilt to save the pleats from getting wonky, and lay out your jacket/vest carefully in your suitcase. They are hard to iron! You can bring up to 50 pounds in the first bag before getting charged extra, so weigh your bag before you go. 2nd bag is yours to pay for, so if you plan on doing a lot of shopping when there, partner up with other folk to combine items for that bag - saves you some money. Just be aware of what's in the luggage. When military folk travel with us, they get 2 extra bags free each, which we use for drums or extra luggage. They can weigh up to 70 pounds each.
The uniform items: Bring your glengarry (make sure your badge is sewn on), 2 long sleeved and 2 short sleeved white shirts, your necktie, jacket, vest and kilt, sporran, belt, 2 pair of black band hose, flashes, skean dhu, shoes and your Inverness cape. If you have medals, please bring them and wear them! We do shop for highland gear when in Scotland, so let the PM know what you need - new or from a charity shop, we know where all the good items are! I also buy short sleeved white dress shirts at Primark - they are hard to find in Ottawa, but we're there at back to school time and they have them for sale for about 6 pounds.
In your Flat: You will have a room with ironing board/iron, mop, broom. There are laundry facilities in each building, and there is a weekly cleaning person that comes in. They change sheets weekly, and you are provided with linens and towels in each room. Kitchens have flatwear, plates and cups – kettle, fridge and stove – some have microwaves, but not all. Some have toasters, but not many. Room assignments are posted on the Scotland member page, and I like to have a volunteer to share information from each flat.
We will have some early mornings, so don't forget an alarm clock. Bring along your charging cords and something to prop open your room door - a doorstop can be a great addition.
Great idea copied from the MacCulloch School – your flatleader should post paper on the front door of the flat along with a pen. When folk go out, they can leave a note so others know where they’ve gone to. Makes all the difference in a day’s enjoyment! All flatleaders need to get Beth their flat number, and who’s staying in each room in case of damage, or things left in rooms.
Flats at Napier University all have 8 rooms and are all ensuite. Linens and towels are provided, and there is a tv in the living room area. Right across the street is a mall with places to accommodate groups for meals. Visit them at www.fountainpark.co.uk There is a Sainsburys Express on the premises, and a LIDL store a 10 minute walk away for all your food and drink essentials. It's a good idea to pack an extra towel and some soap for your bathroom. Bring or buy a pillow - the one provided is quite small. Primark sells them for a low price.
All flats have free WIFI now and it is a good idea to copy down your passwords for email accounts so you can access them there. Electrical current in Scotland is 220, not 110 like in Canada, and their plug ends are a different shape. Most electronic items like phone/camera/laptop chargers can accept 220, but the plug won’t fit in the receptacle in Scotland, for this you will need a simple adapter that does not step down the power. Check your device to see what range it accepts, it is usually noted right on it. Other devices, small appliances like hair dryers, will need an adapter that also steps down the power to 110, or else they will melt. You can pick up small appliances at shops like Argos
When you arrive at your room, inspect the flat for any previous damage, or stains to the carpet etc, document them if you have a camera and report them to your flat master, this way the band will not be held responsible for damage incurred by the previous guests. This has been an issue in the past. It's not a bad idea to get a SIM card at a local phone shop and put it in your phone - it's easier than worrying about your wifi costs, and you'll get a new UK phone number while there. Swap it out for the next trip when you come home. Keep your usual one tucked safely away. We go get this done on day 1, and the cost in 2022 was 20 pounds for 55GB.
Shopping: There is great shopping in Scotland. There are a lot of charity shops nearby, and a Sainsburys downstairs to pick up a few things. Tesco and LIDL are great for food as well and there are some close. If you wish to pick up any small appliances, visit the Argos shop on the North Bridge. Visit www.argos.co.uk for information.We also think Primark is a great place to shop on Princes Street for lots of things including towels, souvenirs, and many other items.
Make sure to have a look at the sites of castles we'll visit so that you can plan ahead to pick up a nice souvenir or gift.
The Palace of HolyroodHouse giftshop site
Scone Palace giftshop site
Some pubs restrict entry to younger patrons at different times of the day, depending on food service. Be sure to check and see if the places you wish to visit have any rules about that. You can plan inexpensive travel with kids here on ScotRail.
Free things to do in Edinburgh listed here
Here are some helpful hints and information to make our upcoming trip to Scotland its best.
Before you go...Make sure you have your passport. Good idea to make a photocopy of it and leave it at home in case you lose it. Leave it in your room in your flat, and only bring it out to visit venues requiring id. Don’t carry any liquids in your carry on bags. Don’t travel with your knives or pointy objects in piper’s maintenance kits. Pack your earplugs for the plane, and something to read. Bring a sweater on board in your pipe case – helps you snuggle up and sleep. Some flights do not provide meals, so make sure to plan to purchase something to eat/drink at the airport.
A purchase of travel insurance is recommended and it's a good idea to let your credit card company know you're traveling so they don't flag your card. I always order UK currency at my bank's main branch to have sent to my local one, and they call when it gets in - very handy. Do that early so you're not in a rush when you need it. Bank machines take our debit cards too.
Pack your music. Pad, chanter and sticks are all required for practices in the flats. Be sure to be ready to hit the ground playing! Daily practice and daily play is what we are doing, and we keep working at it until it's superb.
What to pack... Scotland gets rain. Pack a raincoat, an umbrella, and a good shopping bag. Comfy shoes are a must - you'll do lots of walking. Your room's wardrobe may have hangers, or may not, depending on the previous tenant, so pack a couple to be sure. Pipe band folk - roll up your kilt to save the pleats from getting wonky, and lay out your jacket/vest carefully in your suitcase. They are hard to iron! You can bring up to 50 pounds in the first bag before getting charged extra, so weigh your bag before you go. 2nd bag is yours to pay for, so if you plan on doing a lot of shopping when there, partner up with other folk to combine items for that bag - saves you some money. Just be aware of what's in the luggage. When military folk travel with us, they get 2 extra bags free each, which we use for drums or extra luggage. They can weigh up to 70 pounds each.
The uniform items: Bring your glengarry (make sure your badge is sewn on), 2 long sleeved and 2 short sleeved white shirts, your necktie, jacket, vest and kilt, sporran, belt, 2 pair of black band hose, flashes, skean dhu, shoes and your Inverness cape. If you have medals, please bring them and wear them! We do shop for highland gear when in Scotland, so let the PM know what you need - new or from a charity shop, we know where all the good items are! I also buy short sleeved white dress shirts at Primark - they are hard to find in Ottawa, but we're there at back to school time and they have them for sale for about 6 pounds.
In your Flat: You will have a room with ironing board/iron, mop, broom. There are laundry facilities in each building, and there is a weekly cleaning person that comes in. They change sheets weekly, and you are provided with linens and towels in each room. Kitchens have flatwear, plates and cups – kettle, fridge and stove – some have microwaves, but not all. Some have toasters, but not many. Room assignments are posted on the Scotland member page, and I like to have a volunteer to share information from each flat.
We will have some early mornings, so don't forget an alarm clock. Bring along your charging cords and something to prop open your room door - a doorstop can be a great addition.
Great idea copied from the MacCulloch School – your flatleader should post paper on the front door of the flat along with a pen. When folk go out, they can leave a note so others know where they’ve gone to. Makes all the difference in a day’s enjoyment! All flatleaders need to get Beth their flat number, and who’s staying in each room in case of damage, or things left in rooms.
Flats at Napier University all have 8 rooms and are all ensuite. Linens and towels are provided, and there is a tv in the living room area. Right across the street is a mall with places to accommodate groups for meals. Visit them at www.fountainpark.co.uk There is a Sainsburys Express on the premises, and a LIDL store a 10 minute walk away for all your food and drink essentials. It's a good idea to pack an extra towel and some soap for your bathroom. Bring or buy a pillow - the one provided is quite small. Primark sells them for a low price.
All flats have free WIFI now and it is a good idea to copy down your passwords for email accounts so you can access them there. Electrical current in Scotland is 220, not 110 like in Canada, and their plug ends are a different shape. Most electronic items like phone/camera/laptop chargers can accept 220, but the plug won’t fit in the receptacle in Scotland, for this you will need a simple adapter that does not step down the power. Check your device to see what range it accepts, it is usually noted right on it. Other devices, small appliances like hair dryers, will need an adapter that also steps down the power to 110, or else they will melt. You can pick up small appliances at shops like Argos
When you arrive at your room, inspect the flat for any previous damage, or stains to the carpet etc, document them if you have a camera and report them to your flat master, this way the band will not be held responsible for damage incurred by the previous guests. This has been an issue in the past. It's not a bad idea to get a SIM card at a local phone shop and put it in your phone - it's easier than worrying about your wifi costs, and you'll get a new UK phone number while there. Swap it out for the next trip when you come home. Keep your usual one tucked safely away. We go get this done on day 1, and the cost in 2022 was 20 pounds for 55GB.
Shopping: There is great shopping in Scotland. There are a lot of charity shops nearby, and a Sainsburys downstairs to pick up a few things. Tesco and LIDL are great for food as well and there are some close. If you wish to pick up any small appliances, visit the Argos shop on the North Bridge. Visit www.argos.co.uk for information.We also think Primark is a great place to shop on Princes Street for lots of things including towels, souvenirs, and many other items.
Make sure to have a look at the sites of castles we'll visit so that you can plan ahead to pick up a nice souvenir or gift.
The Palace of HolyroodHouse giftshop site
Scone Palace giftshop site
Some pubs restrict entry to younger patrons at different times of the day, depending on food service. Be sure to check and see if the places you wish to visit have any rules about that. You can plan inexpensive travel with kids here on ScotRail.
Free things to do in Edinburgh listed here
We are using Whats App as a communication tool while overseas. Our group is called Sons of Scotland Trip 2023
Look us up!
Look us up!
secret scotland
For lots more helpful travel information to help with planning, be sure to visit Secret Scotland for lots of great ideas and more!
10 adventures
Get inspired to create your own itinerary with the help of the professionals at 10 Adventures who can help plan your trip to Scotland and further afield!
A great event to take in is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Tickets and information is available through this link: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/
Purchase your tickets before heading over to make sure it's not sold out the night you want to go. Link is here for purchases: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets
You can also look at this page for good information on packages: https://www.theatrebreaks.com/edinburgh/shows-edinburgh/royal-edinburgh-military-tattoo-breaks
Purchase your tickets before heading over to make sure it's not sold out the night you want to go. Link is here for purchases: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets
You can also look at this page for good information on packages: https://www.theatrebreaks.com/edinburgh/shows-edinburgh/royal-edinburgh-military-tattoo-breaks
train travel throughout scotland and more
Visit Trainline here to see their rates and routes. A great number of options to get you around in style!
other itinerary ideas
Travel from Edinburgh
If you're keen to explore the UK or Europe, visit www.edreams.com for information on well priced airfare from Edinburgh. Our location at the University flats is close to the airport shuttle spot downtown.
Megabus provides excellent and very affordable coach travel too; visit www.megabus.co.uk to have a look at prices starting from 1 pound!
Some great day trip sites to research: www.rabbies.com www.timberbush-tours.co.uk www.highlandexplorertours.com www.getyourguide.com www.city-discovery.com
Megabus provides excellent and very affordable coach travel too; visit www.megabus.co.uk to have a look at prices starting from 1 pound!
Some great day trip sites to research: www.rabbies.com www.timberbush-tours.co.uk www.highlandexplorertours.com www.getyourguide.com www.city-discovery.com
