A local piper has achieved a high honour in an historic ceremony with ties to 17th Century Scotland.
R. Scott Buchanan has been appointed as Piper to the Clan Buchanan for North America.
Buchanan, a Thornbury resident and local business owner, says he is honoured and excited about the offer.
“I was gobsmacked upon learning of the appointment,” says Buchanan.
As the Piper to the Clan, Buchanan’s responsibilities include piping for the Clan Chief when he attends various events and festivals around the world, as well as representing the Chief and bringing greetings on his behalf when he cannot be present.
The Clan Buchanan has been without a chief for over three hundred years. The former chief, John Buchanan, had no male heir to assume the position after his passing in 1681.
In an historical moment for the Clan — after decades of petitioning and genealogical research — Scotland resident John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan was appointed the role as the Clan Chief (formally addressed as The Buchanan).
Buchanan performed his first official duties as Piper to the Clan when he piped for The Buchanan at the International Gathering of the Clan Buchanan in Lincoln, New Hampshire last month.
Since then, Buchanan has made it his mission to bring back awareness of the Clan, and he’s using local resources to do it.
Buchanan has a long standing relationship with the Beinn Gorm Highlanders – a local pipes and drum band – and pulls talent from the band to assist him in Highland Games and other events as necessary. Buchanan hopes to create a ceremonial band that will travel all over North America, representing the Clan and connecting with other Clan members.
“It’s not necessarily about what I do but the people who assist me in doing what I do,” says Buchanan. “This area has a deep connection to Scottish, English and Irish heritage, and using talent from the local band helps heighten the awareness. I want these festivals to be more than just music and games, I want them to be rooted in heritage and history.”
The Beinn Gorm Highlanders have been active in the community for almost two decades. They offer free bagpipe and drum lessons for those interested in learning, as well as hold performances for schools, churches, veterans, nursing homes and the general public all over South Georgian Bay.
Buchanan and the Highlanders will represent the community at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland next summer.
“It will be our 20th anniversary as a band so we wanted to raise the bar in order to celebrate that. It’s the biggest competition in the world. It’s almost goosebump-worthy just thinking about it,” says Sheila Stewart, the Pipe Major for the Highlanders.
The band will be hosting a fundraising concert at New Life Church on Nov. 2. It will showcase traditional music, dancing, singing and there will also be a silent auction and lunch available.
For tickets and information, visit their website.