Welcome to The Detroit Highlanders Pipe Band!

Beginning in 1932

Our History

Detroit Highlanders have a long and interesting history

  1. The original band was formed in 1932.
  2. Alexander Adams, the drum major, and bodyguard for Edsel Ford began recruiting members.
  3. 1939 the band won Best Dressed Pipe Band at the Cowal Games. 
  4. Practice location was the Highland Park plan.
  5. From 1934-36 there were as many as 20 pipers in the band.
  6. More - Piping Press
  7. See More => About

The Strathclyde Police Pipe Band. This is a Grade One pipe band playing the tunes:

  • March - Detroit Highlanders
  • Strathspey - Loch Loskin
  • Reel - Mac-an-Isish

The tune "Detroit Highlanders" was written by Archibald MacNeill to honor the Scottish heritage in the Motor Detroit Michigan area during the the early 1920's.

 

Our Mission

We understand peoples lives are busy doing multiply chores. If nothing else, our practice sessions can be used as your practice session to help keep you involved and connected in either the piping or drumming World. 

Our mission is to welcome all pipers and drummers to participant with the Detroit Highlanders Pipe Band and in doing so learn new tunes, improve their skills,  be introduced to both traditional and non-traditional piping tunes, create interesting medleys.  But most of all, have fun.

  • Promote Celtic arts
  • Great Highland Bagpipes (GHB)
  • Base, Tenor, Snare drumming
  • Highland Dancing

We are NOT here to recruit pipers or drummers away from their current band.  It is very important the pipers and drummers continue to support their current pipe band.

This is a virtual pipe band.  The participants suggest the tunes to learn and decide what events to play at. Participants are from other bands with people located in Grand Rapids (MI),  Royal Oak(MI), Detroit(MI), Rochester(MI), Dearborn(MI).  The grade level of these bagpipers range from "Grade 5" to "Grade 1".

 

Our Resources

What does a bagpipe band consist of?

  • Bagpipers
  • Snare Drummers
  • Tenor Drummers
  • Base Drummer

Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band This is an example of a pipe band drum corps.  Snare Drummers in front.   Tenor Drummers (drum on the side) and Base Drummers (drum on the chest) in the back. This is NOT the Detroit Highlanders Pipe Band, Yet :) .

If you are interested in any of these musical instruments, please contact us.

Beginners are welcome and all will access to some of the best pipers and drummers instructors.

Social Media

There are many ways to contribute to our project: