Rob Roy Pipe Band and Highland Dancers

Organisation

Rob Roy Pipe Band and Highland Dancers

1953-

The Rob Roy Pipe Band and Highland Dancers (1957-) finds its origins in the militia group, No. 11 Medical Company Pipe Band, formed at the Kingston Armouries in 1953. In 1955 the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Association Pipe Band was formed as an adjunct to the Medical Company Pipe Band. These bands worked in co-operation, with cross memberships, until 1957 when the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry affiliation ceased because of a disagreement over the administration of band funds. By this time the militia affiliation was proving to be difficult for the band as well. On May 18, 1957 the members of No. 11 Medical Company Pipe band agreed to form a new independent pipe band. They chose the MacGregor tartan and the Rob Roy name for the band because they were particularly attractive and because they symbolized the qualities of independence pride and loyalty to Scottish traditions that the band wished to perpetuate. Separation from the militia connection caused the Rob Roy Band members a number of financial and logistical problems. The loss of the armories as a practice venue meant the band had to find a new practice hall and band members began to hold dances to raise funds. They also set up classes for perspective band members and charged organizations that wished to have the band participate in parades and the like. The band prospered and in 1962, after some debate, it began to accept female members. It formed a connection with Queen's University Pipe Band and added highland dancers to the organization as the years went by. In 1974 the band had advanced to the stage where a new constitution was necessary, one that recognized the contributions of the dancers with full membership in the organization along with the pipers and drummers. In 1978 the band celebrated its 25 anniversary, it had become closely associated with the Kingston Folk Arts Council "Folklore" celebrations and was broadening its horizons with a trip to Scotland . The band has continued to prosper through the years, in 1983 the constitution was updated again and it returned to Scotland once more in 1984.

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