About Us

The Glengarry Pipe Band was formed in early 1961 under PM Gordon Kippen and has operated continuously since that time. The initiative to form a pipe band in Glengarry was led by the Clan MacLeod Society of Glengarry, who at a meeting on September 3, 1954, made a decision to set aside $200 to pay for lessons for 12 young pipers and 6 young drummers. Miss Connie Kippen accepted the challenge of teaching these young pipers. Further, at the 24th Annual Clan MacLeod Society of Glengarry Gathering held on September 9, 1960, a motion was tabled to approach the Glengarry Highland Games Committee with an offering of $100 to be used for the instruction of young drummers to join the already trained young pipers, to form a duty band to play at the Glengarry Highland Games. John D. MacLeod and Gordon MacLeod met with the Highland Games Committee at their annual meeting in December, at which time the Clan MacLeod offer was accepted. The drumming instructor hired was George Shaver, of the SD&G Highlanders’ Pipe Band, Cornwall, Ontario.

On Saturday, February 4, 1961, a meeting was held in the Community Hall, Maxville, Ontario where it was decided to start a Pipe Band in the district, and a committee be formed for that purpose.

At this meeting:

• It was moved by Dr. Gamble and seconded by Osie Villaneuve, that John D. MacLeod, Dunvegan, be President. Carried.
• It was then moved by Osie Villaneuve and seconded by Gordon MacLeod that the official name of this band be “The Glengarry Pipe Band” but to be known as The Glengarry Highlanders. Carried.
• The Glengarry Pipe Band was formed.

The established relationship the new band formed with the Glengarry Highland Games to act as host and duty band has proudly been maintained with the Games ever since.

During the years that followed under successive Pipe Majors Connie Blaney and Elizabeth MacLennan, they firmly established themselves as a community band playing at local parades, shows, and other events. With the arrival of Dave Danskin and Pipe Major J. T. MacKenzie, who together provided tremendous leadership and tuition, the band continued to thrive and prosper as they travelled Ontario and Eastern Canada as great musical ambassadors of Glengarry. Following Dave Danskin’s retirement, PMs Roger Martin, Andrew Buchan, and Steve Douglas continued to lead the band in its pursuit of musical excellence and strong community representation.

History write-up provided by Jim MacLeod