The 78th Highlanders Pipr Band from Canada Begin Journey to “The Worlds” in Scotland
One of Canada’s most successful pipe bands, the 78th Fraser Highlanders are urging fans from their home city of Toronto (Campbellville, Ontario) to travel to the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland (August 15th) to support them in their pursuit of the 2009 World Champions title.
Over the 16 times they have competed at the event, the 78th Fraser Highlanders has been in the prize list 12 times, and in 1987 they became the first non-Scottish band to win the coveted award. In 2009 they will once again battle it out against fellow Canadians, the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band (Vancouver) who took the title in 2008.
The band’s ‘Road To The Worlds’ is being partnered by Homecoming Scotland, a year long campaign marking Scotland’s major contributions to the world including its rich piping heritage. The 78th Fraser Highlanders will help to promote the unrivalled experience of the World Pipe Band Championships by distributing brochures and T-Shirts throughout July to fans when they perform at some of Ontario’s major Highland celebrations, including: Oshawa International Festival – Lakeview Park, Oshawa, Ontario 11&12 July, Glengarry Highland Games – Maxville, Ontario 31-1 August.
Says Pipe Major Bill Livingstone: “We have been attending the World’s for so long that we don’t even consider the reasons anymore, but it’s pretty clear that this annual pilgrimage to Scotland is driven by some strange passion. Hopefully, by working with Homecoming Scotland we can spread this passion to our fellow Canadians along the way.”
For more info and to buy tickets for the World Pipe Band Championships: www.seeglasgow.com/piping.
Direct flights between Ontario and Glasgow are offered by Continental Airlines, US Airways and Delta.
For more info on travelling to and staying in Scotland: www.cometoscotland.com
July 6, 2009
Posted in: Scotland