By Jacob Fehr

ON January 9, 2024, pipe major Ian McFadden and pipe sergeant Murray McKnight held the first open house for the North Shore Highlanders pipe and drum band at Port Dover Legion. One year later, the band has 33 performing players.

“Couldn’t be prouder of what’s happened,” Mr. McFadden said. “Never ever thought it would get to this level, and with such good people.”

In its first year, the band performed at 18 events. “We were approached by so many local organizations wanting pipes for opening events,” Mr. McKnight said.

Mr. McFadden admitted they weren’t sure the band “would be ready” to take on so much so fast. He said it takes considerable time and effort to learn the pipes and drums. Their initial goal was to be ready in time for Remembrance Day.

At practice, the group sees “anywhere from 25 [members] to a full house,” he said, adding, “We’ve been lucky that everyone is very committed to it.”

“The level of dedication out of this group is amazing,” Mr. McKnight said.

Most of the band’s members are from Port Dover and Norfolk County, though some come from Kitchener, Brantford, and Paris. All their piping and drumming students are from Norfolk. They have six pipers who learned bagpipes this year.

Five of the band’s youth members were invited to play with the Ontario Youth Pipe Band at the Georgetown Highland Games last June, performing ahead of “the best band in Canada right now,”

Mr. McKnight said. One of those invited was his son, James McKnight, of whom he couldn’t be prouder.

One highlight of North Shore Highlanders’ first year was its first performance at Cottonwood Mansion Museum in Selkirk last June. Mr. McKnight said that “90 per cent of the drummers had never performed at all” before then.

Other highlights included performing at Port Dover Legion’s Decoration Day service at the town’s cemetery on June 23, the band’s Canada Day debut in the local Calithumpian Parade, and participating in the Legion’s service on Remembrance Day.

“Canada Day was kind of humbling, for me anyway, to be able to do that. The entire parade route was jubilant and excited,” he said.

Mr. McFadden added, “That was our first big time parade.” He said the group’s young members were thrilled to see their family and friends along the parade route.

Remembrance Day is significant for the band, which is backed by the local Legion.

The Legion “have been massive supporters… Anything we need they’ve been right there for us,” Mr. McFadden said.

“And the Lions Club too,” Mr. McKnight added. “The community support has been just overwhelming.”

“I guess I’d never experienced anything like that before and it’s very cool,” he said.

One of their goals is to provide a proper uniform for all band members. Mr. McFadden said they’re currently working on ordering their “first bolt of tartan” for kilts.

“Hopefully by spring we’ve got the vast majority of the group outfitted,” he said. The band also needs more jackets, drum covers, and bag covers.

As they march into year two, the band plans to expand and play at more events.

“Right now, we’re looking to start another wave of members,” Mr. McFadden said. He shared they’re developing a teaching program to create “waves of people coming through.”

To help with recruiting, the group visited elementary schools in December and will head to high schools soon. They are also planning an open house in February.

As a group with many young members, the band emphasizes personal growth and fellowship.

“One of the things we discussed is developing character [and] we’ve seen it,” Mr. McKnight said. “I can see it with my son. He’s gone from a kid to a young man who can hold a conversation with an 80-year-old veteran… And that’s happening with all of them.”

Mr. McFadden said, “We’ve got drummers and pipers who never knew each other who are hanging out outside of pipe band.”

The band has already received requests to return to events they played last year, including the Calithumpian Parade on Canada Day. They also aim to broaden their scope and attend more Highland games.

Members were also focused on their sold-out second-annual Burns Night at Port Dover Community Centre last Saturday.

The event offered roast beef dinner and haggis piped in by band members, with Mr. McKnight formally addressing the haggis. Attendees also enjoyed Scottish country dancing, scotch sampling, a

silent auction, and performances by North Shore Highlanders members.

Anyone can join and learn pipes or drums for free. Equipment can be rented or bought. “I think our model will always be barrier free. We don’t want any kid to miss out over something as foolish as money,” Mr. McFadden said.

“A massive thank you to Port Dover,” he said. “Honestly, we can’t thank you enough. The town has been massively supportive.”

“And the surrounding area as well,” Mr. McKnight added. “Port Dover and Norfolk County.”North Shore Highlanders welcomes anyone interested in the band to visit their upcoming open house or seek information online at facebook.com/groups/1595329951277989/.

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Originally published January 29, 2025