Where It All Began

On November 30, 1908, six pipers met in Saint John, New Brunswick, with an ambitious idea: to establish a Highland pipe band.

From among themselves, they elected a Pipe Major, President, and Secretary-Treasurer, and the Caledonian Pipe Band was born.

Among the founding members was D.L. McLaren, who would later become Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick. At the time, McLaren was an enthusiastic young piper as well as an accomplished Highland dancer who demonstrated both talents during band appearances.

Those early years were built through determination and a genuine love of Scottish music and culture. The band rented a hall for weekly practices, meetings, and the training of new members. Members supplied their own pipes, drums, and Highland uniforms, with the band eventually purchasing a used set of rope-tension drums.

Money was raised through parades and concerts, while the band became involved in Scottish cultural events alongside organizations such as the local St. Andrews Society and the Order of Scottish Clans.

As funds grew, so did the band. New Wallace tartan kilts and plaids were purchased, uniforms and regalia became standardized, and the foundations were laid for an organization that would endure for generations.