Dr. Ken Wilson
Ken grew up in the small village of Kirkliston, outside Edinburgh, Scotland where his father was the GP. Ken went on rounds with his Dad from age 3, and as a result never had to make a decision about his future career. He always wanted to be a doctor.
Kirkliston had a pipe band and, wherever they played, he would always stand beside the pipers, a curious magnetism which many pipers will recognize. Ken took piping lessons at George Watson’s College and twice won the school solo piping Highland Quaich competition. The school band joined with the East of Scotland Schools bands in annual Retreat Ceremonies at Edinburgh Castle. As a young piper, marching through the portcullis to The Castle Esplanade was totally memorable. In 1977, he joined The North Saskatchewan Regiment who were happy to have a new Captain, Medical Officer and Guest Piper. Playing in competition in Calgary 1978, he first heard The City of Victoria Pipe Band with whom he played and won the Grade 1 at Victoria Highland Games in 1988.
He has spent most of his piping life with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Piping has provided him with a balance of subspecialty medicine and a recreation with the camaraderie of colleagues of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Ken was honored with Membership of The Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society, Edinburgh in 2009.
Ken studied Medicine at Edinburgh University graduating BSc Honours Pharmacology, MB ChB and finally Doctor of Medicine with his thesis on Malignant Melanoma.
He emigrated to join the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic in 1977. He took all his exams again and the American Board of Internal Medicine in Medical Oncology in 1979. He was honored with FACP in 1980, ASCO Membership and FRCPC in 1985.
He was appointed Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of British Columbia, on the basis of excellence in teaching and research, and national and international reputation (https://medicine.med.ubc.ca/profiles/kenneth-wilson/). Through philanthropic donations, he is a strong supporter of Immunology Research in Victoria, The UVic School of Nursing, UBC and the new Craigflower Community and Performing Arts Centre. In 2023, through the new Scottish Community Centre in View Royal, Victoria, Ken started the Capital City Pipe Band providing tuition in piping, drumming and highland dance to students age 9-18. With the help of an outstanding cadre of instructors and administrators, the band performed in their first competition at the Victoria Highland Games in 2025. The band wears Weathered Gunn tartan, reflecting the Wilson affiliation to Clan Gunn. He encourages members of the Scottish Community and beyond to support fund raising to ensure that the dreams of the Association can be realized.
Ken is deeply humbled by the BC Pipers Association for the appointment to the prestigious position of Honorary Patron and looks forward to meeting its many members.