Category Archives: History, Tradition & Heritage

History, traditions and heritage. The bagpipes have all of this in spades.

A loyal, generous and infamous Vancouver pipe major passes into history

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Mike Chisholm

TweetThe story about Ian Millman that sticks with me is the time the mayor of Vancouver announced at a crowded formal dinner that the City had decided to fund the Vancouver Police Pipe Band’s upcoming trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. The … Continue reading →

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Well deserved Honourary Doctorates

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Mike Chisholm

TweetCongratulations to Simon Fraser University Pipe Band Pipe Major Dr. Terry Lee (l) and his brother SFUPB Pipe Sergeant Dr. Jack Lee for being awarded Simon Fraser University’s highest honour – an honourary PhD for their contributions to both the … Continue reading →

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Playing bagpipes for Police Funerals and for Deputy Sherriff Jeremiah MacKay

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Mike Chisholm

TweetA lone piper stood outside the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office on February 14, lamenting the death of a fellow piper and deputy sheriff, Jeremiah MacKay.  After years of playing at funerals for fallen police colleagues as the chief piper … Continue reading →

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Brightening “a stable all forlorn” with bagpipes and celebration

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Mike Chisholm

TweetIn the Christmas song “Mary’s Little Boy Child” written by Jester Hairston (check out this corny but popular disco version by Boney M), the song relates the story of Christ’s birth “in a stable all forlorn”. The song relates that … Continue reading →

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A taste of the “old country”: ancient stories, Gaelic & bagpiping

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Mike Chisholm

Tweet(Ed. note: The following is a segment of an autobiographical sketch of Joe Peter MacLean, a well known Cape Breton fiddler of the Gaelic tradition. He was born and lives in Cape Breton, immersed in the insulated and uniquely Canadian … Continue reading →

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Former mayor Senator Larry Campbell pipes in on Vancouver bagpiper ban

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Mike Chisholm

TweetThe masses have spoken. The ban on bagpiping on Vancouver city streets has been lifted after a spirited uproar from bagpipers, piping organizations, the general population and a cabinet minister from Scotland. The bylaw banning the excessive noise of bagpipes, … Continue reading →

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Who needs St. Patrick’s Day. There’s an International Bagpipe Day.

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Mike Chisholm

TweetNow here’s something I didn’t  know. International Bagpipe Day. It seems this auspicious occasion is celebrated in England at the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum in Morpeth, just south of the Scottish border. I’m sorry to say I missed the international … Continue reading →

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The second most photographed man in North America – a bagpiper.

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Mike Chisholm

TweetAs I mention just to the right, I like to connect the West coast with the East – sharing stories of bagpipers and events from both coasts.  So here’s a story about a piper from the Maritimes. My home town … Continue reading →

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