About the Band

The first public appearance occurred on May the 5th, 1894 at the unveiling of the Robert Burns statue on North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia and later that evening the event was celebrated with a “Grand Promenade Concert” at the Exhibition Hall where the band, consisting of 10 pipers and 5 drummers played 2 brackets of music under the leadership of Pipe Major James Balloch.

1894, November 11th – The  Piper’s Band appeared for the first time in their Gordon’s 92nd Highland tartan and white collar tunics at the first “Continental Pipers Band Festival”.

1900 – The Piper’s Band became part of the Scottish Rifle Corps of South Australia, which was formed as a response to the Boer War in South Africa.

1901 SA Scottish Corp – Feb

1912 – The Scottish Rifle Corps was disbanded in 1912 and the Band became known as The Caledonian Pipe Band.

1925 – Foundation stone of The South Australian Caledonian Society hall at King William Street, Adelaide was layed.

1927 –  The Highland Pipe Band amalgamated with The Caledonian Pipe Band.

1929 – The Caledonian Pipe Band adopted the McGregor tartan.

1936 – The Caledonian Pipe Band in competition with the best bands in Australia, won the A Grade Quickstep and took out second prize on the A Grade Selection.

1937 – The South Australian 27nd Battalion became a kilted regiment with many Scottish recruits. The Caledonian Pipe Band became part of the 2/27th Battalion and played at the recruiting campaign parades. A number of members joined the Battalion and it’s band. Dan McGregor, who was Pipe Sergeant of The Caledonian Pipe Band joined the 27th Battalion and became Pipe Major of the Battalion’s Pipe Band. Other member who served in the 27th Battalion during WWII were A. Fleetwood, J. Fleetwood and J. Mitchell.

1938 – The Caledonian Pipe Band competed in their first interstate competition in Sydney, coming first in the Quickstep and second in the Open Selection.

1939 – Outbreak of WWII.  Among the first to enlist was Pipe Sergeant Dan McGregor who was appointed Pipe Major of the 27th Battalion and tenor drummer J. Ashton, who joined the 2/10th Battalion and became their Drum Major of the Regimental Brass Band. Pipers Angus Thomson and Ken Grierson went overseas with the 2/3rd Field Ambulance along with J. McDonald Smith, J. McCance, A. Fleetwood, J. Fleetwood and J. Mitchell also from the band.

1942 – 1945 During this time The Caledonian Pipe Band were approached by the Australian Defence Department and ask to assist in establishing another Army Pipe Band for the Australian Women’s Army Service. Pipe Major Bill Niven instructed 10 pipers whilst Drum Sergeant Duff instructed 12 drummers.

1946 – King George VI granted permission to the Caledonian Society to use the prefix ‘Royal’ in recognition and mainly due to the untiring efforts and devoted services of the Society’s Pipe Band members. Many served during the Boer War, World War I, and with numerous receiving decorations for their part in conflicts during World War II. From that point the Band became known, as they are today, as The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Caledonian Society of South Australia.

1948 The Adelaide University Regiment was established and formed their own pipe band with the help of The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Caledonian Society’s Pipe Major Bill Niven, who was their original pipe tutor. Some members of The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Caledonian Society left the band and joined The Adelaide University Regiment Pipe Band these included, bass drummer Paul Ritchie and piper Jock Sutherland.

1951 – Pipe Major Niven’s final year as Pipe Major.

1952 – Earnest Dowler was appointed Pipe Major. The band consisted of a Drum Major, 12 pipers, 7 drummers, 5 learner drummers and 18 learner pipers.

1955 – 1957  The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Caledonian Society went to Mount Gambier to compete, winning the Legion cup three years in a row in the Quickstep and Street March.

1964 – 1967 Robert Pattullo was Pipe Major.

1970 – Vern Raymond became Pipe Major.

1982 – The first female, Wendy Gangell joined the band. Feather bonnets issued to the drummers.

1984 – Competed in Daylesford, Victoria coming First in Grade 2.

1985 – Competed at the South Australian Championships and were First in Grade 2.

1986 – Competed at the Australian Pipe Band Championships in Adelaide, winning to become the Grade 2 Australian Champions. 

1987 – Feather bonnets issued to the pipers.

2001 – The highlight for the Band was the invitation to perform at the internationally famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland. Band members worked hard for two years fundraising for replacement uniforms and equipment to enable the Band to maintain their high standard when they represented Australia and performed at this prestigious event. Pipe Major at this time was Robert (Bob) McGregor.