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.
They look for new and interesting partners to work with, and have enjoyed performances with many groups including The Royal Blind Charity, Blesma, 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 4 occasions at Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
If you wish to travel with the band, please message Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion at sospb@sospb.com for details.
We get a group rate with Westjet and fly Ottawa through Toronto onto Glasgow, then take a coach to Edinburgh. In 2021, routes have changed, and we'll update that information here.
Flight costs and room costs will be posted here as soon as they come in.
Attendance is based on availability and more, and the trips fill up quickly, so don't delay if you are interested in going along with the band. The trip's costs are kept down with the group that normally goes, and there is always something for our guests to help with in terms of supporting the band and dancers. Every year is unique and very memorable. And everyone should see Scotland - it's just magnificent!
They look for new and interesting partners to work with, and have enjoyed performances with many groups including The Royal Blind Charity, Blesma, 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 4 occasions at Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
If you wish to travel with the band, please message Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion at sospb@sospb.com for details.
We get a group rate with Westjet and fly Ottawa through Toronto onto Glasgow, then take a coach to Edinburgh. In 2021, routes have changed, and we'll update that information here.
Flight costs and room costs will be posted here as soon as they come in.
Attendance is based on availability and more, and the trips fill up quickly, so don't delay if you are interested in going along with the band. The trip's costs are kept down with the group that normally goes, and there is always something for our guests to help with in terms of supporting the band and dancers. Every year is unique and very memorable. And everyone should see Scotland - it's just magnificent!
Help celebrate the 70th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty The Queen - see how you can take part at www.championbagpipes.com on the Platinum Project page.
scotland trip 2022
The band will stay in Edinburgh at Napier University, and do concerts in that city, in Glasgow and in the town of Stirling.
We will compete at the World Pipe Band Championships, play in the pre-Worlds Parade through Glasgow and enjoy the civic reception afterwards at Glasgow City Hall, we will enjoy the hospitality of the Eagle Pipers Society at the Scots Guards Club in Edinburgh, travel to Glasgow to go to Drumming for Drinks, and much more. Tentative dates of the trip are August 8 to 19.
Practices will be held at Boroughmuir High School next to our accommodations. We play outside and there is a big forecourt that all the dancers can use.
Our day in Stirling will include shows at the Battle of Bannockburn, Stirling Castle, and Wallace Monument and we are honored to be joined by the Schiehallion Dancers from Hamilton, Ontario under the expert direction of Sandra Bald Jones.
We are welcoming in 2021 dancers from the Katharine Robinson School of Dance, the Terri Kember School and the Champagne School of Dance depending on dates and shows. I hope we can confirm their participation in our 2022 trip as well.
Dates of the World Pipe Band Championship weekend is August 12/13, 2022. We compete on Saturday, August 13.
We will compete at the World Pipe Band Championships, play in the pre-Worlds Parade through Glasgow and enjoy the civic reception afterwards at Glasgow City Hall, we will enjoy the hospitality of the Eagle Pipers Society at the Scots Guards Club in Edinburgh, travel to Glasgow to go to Drumming for Drinks, and much more. Tentative dates of the trip are August 8 to 19.
Practices will be held at Boroughmuir High School next to our accommodations. We play outside and there is a big forecourt that all the dancers can use.
Our day in Stirling will include shows at the Battle of Bannockburn, Stirling Castle, and Wallace Monument and we are honored to be joined by the Schiehallion Dancers from Hamilton, Ontario under the expert direction of Sandra Bald Jones.
We are welcoming in 2021 dancers from the Katharine Robinson School of Dance, the Terri Kember School and the Champagne School of Dance depending on dates and shows. I hope we can confirm their participation in our 2022 trip as well.
Dates of the World Pipe Band Championship weekend is August 12/13, 2022. We compete on Saturday, August 13.
sponsor - first bus stirling
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.
Pack your music. Pad, chanter and sticks are all required for practices in the flats.
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 wardrobe may have hangers, or may not, depending on the previous tenant. 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 3 extra bags free each, which we use for drums or extra luggage.
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. 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.
There is a hot water meter in the kitchen. Last one to bed should turn it on so you have hot water in the morning. Don't forget an alarm clock as well.
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.
You can put 1 to 2 people in a room - good for siblings that don't fight or couples, and it cuts down on your expenses. When booking your rooms with us, if you are sharing, please note that for planning purposes.
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. 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.
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.
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.
Pack your music. Pad, chanter and sticks are all required for practices in the flats.
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 wardrobe may have hangers, or may not, depending on the previous tenant. 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 3 extra bags free each, which we use for drums or extra luggage.
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. 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.
There is a hot water meter in the kitchen. Last one to bed should turn it on so you have hot water in the morning. Don't forget an alarm clock as well.
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.
You can put 1 to 2 people in a room - good for siblings that don't fight or couples, and it cuts down on your expenses. When booking your rooms with us, if you are sharing, please note that for planning purposes.
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. 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.
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.
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
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!
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
other itinerary ideas
Whisky tours in Scotland that are recommended: Whisky Distillery Tours
