They scrimped, saved, held a dozen fundraisers over a year's time, but the Black Tusk Caledonia Pipes and Drummers say it was all worth it. The band squeezed memories into every moment of the two weeks they spent in Scotland Aug. 9 to 23 during Pipefest celebrations that attracted thousands of pipers and drummers worldwide.
Within two days of landing, the band found themselves marching down Edinburgh streets alongside 20 regimental pipe bands from all over the world. The Caledonia pipers were included in the parade at the last minute, and the march took its toll on some band members - 15 year-olds who had purchased new shoes bled through their socks - but it didn't stop them. The only Canadians in the parade, the band was bestowed the prestige of leading 600 honoured World War II veterans into Kelvin Hall stadium and performing while the guests dined. More than 30,000 spectators cheered the dozen band members, most of whom are under 18. Pipe Major Luc Leblanc said it might take years for the younger players to get the full impact of what they experienced.
"Years from now when they read in the papers that there are no vets left, they'll get it," said Leblanc.
Spectators, pipers and vets were thrilled to have a Canadian band and everywhere they played, crowds gathered to extend their hospitality.
"The kids politely refused a lot of beer," said Leblanc.
Dignitaries such as Guy St. Jacques, Director General with Canada's Public Service Commission, approached the band to thank them and were shocked to discover how they got there.
"They'd say 'How did you get here, we didn't help you?'" said Leblanc. "We'd say 'No, our little town of 樱桃视频sent us here.'"
The parade was merely the beginning of Pipefest, which ended up drawing approximately 10,000 pipers and drummers, but fell short of setting the intended new world record.
The Caledonia band ended up leading one of 120 blocks of 150 pipes and drummers gathered on Arthur's Seat rock in Holyrood Park. That meant Leblanc was the block Pipe Major and his son became the block lead drummer.
"We were 300 across, as far as the eye could see there was someone in a kilt playing," said Leblanc. "It was reminiscent of troupes on a battlefield."
During a four-day break, the band split up to visit their respective ancestral homes. Families travelled to Dumfries, Kirkcaldy, Galtsby, Isle of Lewis and the Orkneys to set foot on cobblestone roads built by their great great great grandfathers.
The trip was made possible by donations big and small from all over the Sea to Sky corridor, and it's allowed the young players to realize the history of pipes and drums, said Leblanc. But the band still faces the challenge of finding a place to practice after the demolition of the Elks halls and the sale of the Diamondhead Legion's bottom floor to the Tantalus Bike Shop.
Leblanc nevertheless keeps the dream alive and invites anyone young or old wishing to join the band to contact him at 604-898-4260 or e-mail [email protected].
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