BAY AREA SCOTTISH
- SCOTTISH EVENT RESOURCES FOR THE BAY AREA AND BEYOND 

The MacIntosh Pipe Band, established as a parade band in the early 1980's, has grown from five members to nearly 30, and is a consistently strong grade IV and Grade V band on the west coast. The band was proud to be the 2000 Grade IV Champion of Champions in the Western United States Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA). In 2001 the band traveled to Scotland, taking a third place in Inverkeithing and placing well at the Bridge of Allen, the World's Championships in Glasgow, and in Perth. While the band is based in Marin County, just north over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, the pipers, snare, tenor, bass drummers, dancers and drum majors come from six counties, as far north as Davis, south to San Jose, and east to Antioch. Currently under the direction of Pipe Major Janice Richey and Drum Sergeant Robert Cameron, the band continues to thrive and bring its music to audiences from Puerto Vallarta, AT&T stadium, home of the Giants, St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco, just to name a few places..

In 1968, an organization was created to train young pipers and drummers in the Bay Area. That band, which began with a handful of students, has to date has trained over 500 pipers and drummers. Little did those founders realize that their organization would someday become the band it is today. The Prince Charles Pipe Band (PCPB) continues to work towards its founding principles of training young pipers and drummers through quality instruction, dedication, and discipline. As pipers and drummers move through the ranks and gain experience, they are expected to give back to the organization, serving as teachers for the next generation. Because of this process, there are very few bands in California that do not have a former PCPB member in their ranks.

The award winning Piedmont Highlanders Drums & Pipes has emerged as one of the best non-competing bands in the San Francisco Bay Area, attracting advanced pipers and drummers and beginners alike.The band performs throughout Northern California with the Piedmont 4th of July Parade and the Dublin Saint Patrick's Day Parade serving as the highlights of each season. The primary focus of the band is on advancing the skills and abilities of its members, improving the sound and excellence of the band, promoting an interest in and appreciation of the Great Highland Bagpipe and Scottish pipe band drumming, having fun and making great music. The Highlanders take great pride in the tremendous diversity of their membership. Women, men and youngsters in a broad range of ages, ethnicities, cultures, professions and backgrounds are represented and have come together because of a shared passion for Scottish pipe band music.

Founded in 1980, Silicon Valley Pipe Band (formerly Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums of San Francisco) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization created to educate the general public in piping, drumming, dance, and other art forms associated with Scottish and Celtic culture. We perform both publicly and privately, and instruct those interested in piping and drumming. We offer parade, concert, and competition bands. Our culture is one of continual technical improvement coupled with a familial environment. Established performers and those starting their dedicated musical journey will find a home with us. We rehearse on Tuesday evenings at the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Saratoga. The calling of the pipes and drums adds an inspirational, and memorable touch to any event. We have performed at personal milestone celebrations, corporate events, community festivals, military/first responder ceremonies, major league professional sporting events, as well as accompanying The Chieftains at the Mountain Winery.

Founded in 2011, the Santa Clara Country Sheriff's Office Pipe Band (SCCOPB) is comprised of volunteers from the local community and Public Safety agencies. The Band represents the SCCSO in various law enforcement events throughout Northern California year-round. ​ The band is available for: Church Services and Weddings, Parades and Holiday Events, Funerals and Memorials, Grand Openings and Parties, Festivals and Sales Promotions, Ceremonies and Dinners. ​ Depending on your event and needs, we can provide a solo piper, a mini band or our full pipe and drum band.

The mission of the CAL FIRE Local 2881 Honor Guard is to provide California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) employees and families with a uniform and consistent method of honoring both active and retired persons who have died on or off duty. The Honor Guard will also provide color guard duties when requested. The Pipes & Drums is establilshed to provide the highest quality musical support for the CAL FIRE Local 2881 Honor Guard events.

The City of Sacramento Pipe Band organization was created to compete in local, regional, and Statewide pipe band competition events, typically at various stagings of Scottish/Highland Games. The Band has won many championships in its 21 years of competing, including the 1995 Western United States Pipe Band Association Championship for Grade 3 in Reno, Nevada. ​ Known for its hallmark DEAD CAT ALLEY concerts, the Band performs in at least one major fund-raising concert each year, and sometimes more.​

Santa Cruz Pipes & Drums was founded in the 1990s by Pipe Major Jay Salter and originally composed of his bagpipe students who graduated from Santa Cruz High School, where he continues to teach pipers. The band was quickly grew to be composed of a wide range of community members, some of whom have been in the band since nearly the beginning. The band performs an unusually wide variety of pipe music at highland games, parades, pub crawls, art & wine shows, foot races, and other events. Band members have included a WUSPBA solo season aggregate winner and even a former WUSPBA Executive Secretary, both taught from scratch by PM Salter.

The Stuart Highlanders Pipe band was formed in 1958. We perform at events such as Burns suppers, balls, parades, Highland Games, shopping center festivals, school programs, and miscellaneous private engagements. Although we have not competed in recent years, we are a member of the Western U.S. Pipe Band Assoc. (WUSPBA).

Sacramento has a long history of music in the fire service. Dating back to the late 1800's, the Sacramento Firemen's Band provided entertainment to the area as well as opening for local civic events. The original Sacramento Firemen's Band was a " big band" with brass section, woodwinds, and a drum core. The Firemen's Band continued providing entertainment through the 1950's, however like so many great things, faded into the history books with little info about it. In May, 2003, two Sacramento Fire Department firemen, Tom Rogers and Mark Swink, were learning to play the bagpipes. Though just on their chanters, they persuaded the department administration to support them in their effort to start a pipes and drums band. Mark and Tom put out an invitation to all department personnel from the newest firefighter to chiefs and in a couple of months had 15 firefighters attending the first practices of the newly established Sacramento Fire Department Pipes and Drums Band.

The Irish Pipers Band of San Francisco was formed in 1932 and is the oldest continuously active Irish Pipe Band west of the Mississippi River. Original members of the band were Irish immigrants that desired to maintain the piping traditions of their native land. The band was a charter member of the Pacific Coast Pipe Band Association. The Irish Pipers played at the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the United Irish Cultural Center, and at the charter meeting for the founding of the United Nations. They have also performed on national television with Gene Kelly, and in more recent years, on stage with The Chieftains. The San Francisco St. Patrick's Day Parade and the preceding Irish flag-raising ceremony at City Hall have been attended by the Irish Pipers every year since the band was founded. The band wears the County Wexford tartan.

The Monterey Bay Pipe Band (formerly Salinas Pipe Band) is a Grade IV competition band and a member of the Western US Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA). The band wears the MacKenzie tartan and is under the direction of Pipe Major Michel d’Avenas. The band includes students, soldiers, teachers, translators, retirees, a nurse, administrative assistants, a private investigator and a beekeeper. We are always looking for people interested in joining our group as either a drummer or piper.