Author Archives: Mike Chisholm

About Mike Chisholm

Official Piper: Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours. Pitt River Resort. Exec. Dir. BC Highland Games & Scot. Fest. Director, BC Pipers' Assn. Former journalist, Nova Scotian, Dad.

First ivory restrictions on bagpipes. Now African blackwood.

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Mike Chisholm

TweetThere’s a good reason forward-thinking countries have banned or tightly control the over-the-border movement of products that contain ivory, such as bagpipes. A proper certificate for an ivory/silver set of pipes is a hassle, but worth it if it slows … Continue reading →

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Remembrance Week Bagpipes Salute Veterans & Canada

Posted on November 6, 2016 by Mike Chisholm

TweetA beautiful tune, played by PM Matt MacIsaac, with PM Katie Buckland and a Canadian Forces pipe band from a concert in November, 2012. A perfect way to commemorate a week of remembrance for our veterans and for our country.

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A #Vancouver Bagpiper in the November Rain

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Mike Chisholm

TweetIt may appear meditative, or a bit reflective, but a bagpiper playing under the grey, overcast skies of November in Vancouver is likely thinking about the weather. The warm days of spring, summer and early fall are behind us. Now it’s time … Continue reading →

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BC Pipers on the Great Wall of China

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Mike Chisholm

TweetIt was an amazing trip full of music, dancing, friendships, an engagement, a loss and a lot of memories. From September 26 to October 3, 2016, almost 30 RCMP pipers, drummers, dancers and their spouses from BC, Edmonton and Regina … Continue reading →

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Bagpiping at weddings in Vancouver and beyond

Posted on July 17, 2016 by Mike Chisholm

TweetHave you thought about walking down the aisle to the skirl of the great highland bagpipes? If so, you are not alone. In the past year, there has been a resurgence of brides and couples inquiring about adding cultural and musical … Continue reading →

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Halifax Pipe Major Barb Stewart and her father’s pipes: Heading to Juno

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Mike Chisholm

TweetMy first piping instructor – still going strong, with her father’s pipes. What the story doesn’t say is that when Barb’s father showed up in Scotland during leave, to pick up and pay for his pipes, his regiment had already … Continue reading →

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Bagpipes, bagpipers & pipe bands in Vancouver

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Mike Chisholm

TweetThere’s nothing like a room full of bagpiper and drummers to get your heart – and a season underway. The first competition of the piping season in the Pacific Northwest was successfully launched last weekend in Surrey.  The BC Pipers’ … Continue reading →

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Shamrocks, four leaf clovers and bagpipes: St. Patrick’s Day in Vancouver

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Mike Chisholm

TweetThe plaid is a sure sign of spring in British Columbia. Starting this weekend, the French Canadian community in the Lower Mainland is the first to host a festival that has been going strong for 40 years.  The Festival du … Continue reading →

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