Since 1948, a unique and wonderful event takes place in Kincardine
every summer Saturday night, rain or shine. At exactly 8 p.m., the KINCARDINE
SCOTTISH PIPE BAND takes to the street, and followed by a throng of tourists
and locals, marches down Queen Street and back again to perform in Victoria
Park. The band welcomes all pipers and drummers who happen to be in the area
and have been host to musicians from all over the world. Pre-arranged
permission is not necessary but proper dress is a requirement.
The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band celebrates its
celebrated it's 100th Anniversary in 2008'
and is believed to be the oldest street pipe band with unbroken service in Ontario.
Founded in 1908, by Pipe Major William Young,
the band first hit the street in late 1909 originally wearing the McKenzie
Tartan and boasting a membership of 5 Pipers, 4 Drummers, and a Drum Major.
For the first 20 years of their existence their ranks varied from 9-20
members and even included the renowned drummer, Albert Tucker, who had the
honour of being chosen as the lead drum for the funeral of King Edward, in
1910. The band played at many occasions all over Ontario including Garden Parties,
Reunions, Fall Fairs, Opening Ceremonies, Weddings, and Funerals. In 1922 the
band changed to the Gordon Tartan, which they wore until 1994.
By 1929, Pipe Major Young retired due to failing health and
Donald MacDonald became the new Pipe Major. During his leadership years, the
band played on the radio out of London, Ontario, traveled with the Kincardine
Fire Brigade to their field days, and, in 1935, led the parade when the Prime
Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable R.B. Bennett, came to Kincardine.
In 1939, James Irvine took over as Pipe Major, and barely kept
the band together through the war years. After the war the Renowned
Kincardine Saturday Night Parades started. In 1947, the band elected their
first executive, the president being Paul MacKay, and secretary Ernie Fisher.
The Legion was a big help as sponsor to the band by providing some equipment,
and uniforms.
In 1950 the Kincardine merchants outfitted the band with new Gordon Tartans. Henry
Lamont became Pipe Major at this time and the band had their own hat badge designed
by a well known band member, Mac Webster. Henry led the band till 1992 and took the
band to places like Florida, California, and Scotland, where they played at
Edinburgh Castle.
Watson Morris, a student of Henry’s, took over as Pipe Major in 1992, and served for
2 years before joining a competition band in Toronto. At that time the band consisted
of six pipers, three snare drummers, two tenor drummers and a bass drummer. Watson deserves
many thanks for taking on the band at such a difficult time when much of the expertise
retired at the same time. In 1992, Watson brought in open class piper, Paul McLelland
to assist with band instruction. 1992 also marked the beginning of our annual
"Gathering of the Bands", which takes place on the weekend before Labour Day.
The Band invites pipers and drummers to Kincardine to take part in a "Gathering"
and a massed band parade.
Basil McCarthy was elected to the position of Pipe Major in 1994 and with the help of
Paul McClelland the band set out to encourage membership by developing guidelines for
piping and drumming instruction. In 1995 the band had become a charitable organization,
pipe and drum instruction was a priority, the membership had nearly doubled and the band
began wearing the Kincardine Tartan. In 1996, in honour of Donald Sinclair (a legendary
early piper and settler to Kincardine) the band introduced the Phantom piper who plays
atop the Kincardine Lighthouse every sunny summer evening (excluding Saturdays) at sunset.
The first few years of the new millennium saw the Cairn erected at Victoria Park in honour
of past, present and future pipers & drummers, the commemoration of the Phantom Piper rock
in honour of the legendary Donald Sinclair at the base of the lighthouse and new leadership
under the direction of Jennifer Farrell as Pipe Major.
Financial support from the Friends of the Kincardine Scottish,
contributions to the Wishing Well and numerous local businesses and
Kincardinites have afforded us the opportunity to maintain our dress
uniformly in the Kincardine Tartan.
We would like to invite you to enjoy our website, participate in
our Saturday Night Parades and if you're familiar with the Great Highland
Bagpipe accept an invitation to play some summer evening on our lighthouse.KSPB Executive
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