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Piping and drumming has had a long history in Vernon. One of our members, Barry Mattock, walked beside his dad, a bass drummer with the Kildonan Pipe Band in the late 1930s as a 4 or 5 year old lad. This band operated until the late 1950s. The Sons of Scotland have had a “Camp” here in Vernon since 1949 called the “Kildonan Camp”. We’re not sure if this name indicates an affiliation with the band or is just in reference to the location in Scotland.
A couple of our current members were a part of the MacIntosh Girls Pipe Band. This band was started by Horace Foote in 1945 and ran untill1976. Without a band here in Vernon through the 70s and early 80s, pipers and drummers had to travel to Kelowna and Salmon Arm to play the music that they loved. After several years of travelling to other centers to practice and play, a group of ladies who had been members of the Mac Band decided to put together a local band. One night, Reg Scot walked into a practice representing the men who were travelling to Kelowna to play. The two groups worked together to form a band. After a discussion and a debate, Reg was chosen to be the Pipe Major and lead the band. They chose the name “The Scottish Highlanders” as the band’s first name. They didn’t want to call it by the city’s name as there were many people from the outlying areas such as Oyama and Coldstream as well as in Vernon. A year or so later, someone had the great idea to use the name of the lake that was central to all of this and call the band “The Kalamalka Highlanders”, a great name that will stay with the band forever!
For several years the band operated without uniforms. As all new bands can attest to, it’s very hard to come up with sponsorship and funds to buy uniforms and equipment. Many members had their own kilts and jackets, but some had to wear pants and regular attire. When funding was finally acquired, a group got together to figure out a style and scheme for the band. One thing was certain; they didn’t want red or green to be their theme! A book of tartans was obtained and after looking through it, a beautiful burgundy & bluish tartan was discovered. The municipal tartan of the City of Portree on the Isle of Skye was chosen. Burgundy sweaters and grey balmoral bonnets topped off the uniforms. Eventually, burgundy “Bonnie Prince Charlie” jackets were made to round out an impressive, unique uniform. The band now sports Glengarry bonnets and the balmorals have gone to the youth band.
Reg Scot led the band for 20 years, teaching the group many things, working hard and bringing a lot of notoriety to the group. In 2004 at the 20h anniversary of the band, Reg stepped down and Don MacLeod took over the Pipe Major’s job.
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some
of the original members circa 1987
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