RCMP E Division Pipe Band
Scottish traditions and influences have had deep roots throughout the history of Canada and these influences are evident in the early days of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The first members of the North West Mounted Police included names like MacDonald, Fraser, Mackenzie and Wilson. The highly regarded second Commissioner of the NWMP was Colonel James Farquharson MacLeod from the Isle of Skye.
It’s not surprising then that there have been efforts over the years to have a distinctive RCMP tartan and pipe band program. In 1992, with the support of K Division Assistant Commissioner Les Holmes, the first RCMP pipe band was formed in Edmonton from a small group of RCMP members supported by citizen volunteers.

In 1997, the design of an official RCMP tartan was undertaken to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the RCMP in 1998. A submission by Violet Holmes was selected and in April 1998, Commissioner Murray approved the adoption of a kilted uniform for pipers and drummers and the RCMP tartan was officially registered with the Scottish Tartans Society in Pitlochry. The tartan colours are true to the RCMP tradition as they are derived from the colours of the Force’s uniform and badge.

The popularity of pipe bands within the RCMP has flourished since then and there are now RCMP community pipe bands and highland dancers in eight locations from Halifax to Vancouver. The E Division (B.C.) pipe band was originally formed in 1998 as an RCMP members-only organization with Cpl. Rob Smith as Drum Major/Lead Drummer and Cst. Colin Grinstead as Pipe Major. Challenges with availability of members resulted in the band going dormant after a couple years, however, in 2006 Cpl Rob Smith led the formation of the current community Pipes and Drums with Bruce Topp as the band’s first Pipe Major. Hugh Peden became Pipe Major in 2008 and Mike Guillemin took over the Drum Major duties in 2012 with Rob’s retirement and both Hugh and Mike continue in their roles and with Gregor Merry the Band’s Drum Sgt. More recently Lindsay McBlane has been leading the bands highland dancers.

The band has been operating continuously since its 2006 revival and has remained about the same size with approximately 35 members. Most members are in the Lower Mainland but the band also has 6 pipers and drummers on Vancouver Island and multiple pipers in the Interior and North of B.C. Today, almost all band members are civilian volunteers and their efforts are regularly recognized by the RCMP who appreciate their dedication to the band and the RCMP.

The band and dancers are based out of the E Division provincial headquarters in Surrey and perform at RCMP and public functions across the province. Many of our piping and drumming friends will have seen the band performing as the duty band or putting on a performance at the BC Highland Games. The band has travelled to Hong Kong; Beijing; and closer to home have performed in Palm Springs, Estes Park, and Pleasanton, and BC events such as the Okanagan Military Tattoo in Vernon, the Piper’s Club in Victoria, and the Peachfest Parade in Penticton. The band also performs at RCMP ceremonial events including the Musical Ride, Change of Command Ceremonies and the sad and somber duties of Regimental Funerals.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the national RCMP band program is the ability for members of each band to come together for band performances. Although each Divisional band is independent of each other, there are performance opportunities that arise annually that are staffed as a ‘combined’ band with members potentially from all 8 bands. With a common uniform and some standard music for these situations, it’s relatively easy to grab pipers from Halifax, Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg and match with a Drum Corp from Vancouver, Regina, Montreal and Moncton and supplemented by Highland Dancers from various groups. Notable performances by the combined bands include Windsor Castle and presenting RCMP horse ‘George’ to Queen Elizabeth, Las Vegas, and the military tattoos in Edinburgh and Basel Switzerland on multiple occasions. In 2025, the RCMP bands will join together for performances at the Tartan Day Parade in Manhattan in March, and again in May at the World Police Summit in Dubai.

Many of the band’s members have been former competitors and are well known around the BC
piping, drumming and highland dancing communities. Several members perform in other
groups or are otherwise involved in some manner in the BC piping, drumming, and highland
dancing community as teachers, directors, judges, or volunteers. With 18 years of
achievements, the band continues to keep renewal as a top priority and is looking forward to
the future and the ongoing success of the band. The band is always looking for experienced
pipers, drummers and dancers to join the group and anyone who is interested in supporting the
group are invited to attend our annual Flavours of Scotland and Scotch Tasting this coming
April.

submitted by Pipe Major Hugh Peden