33rd Halifax Pipes & Drums

The 33rd Halifax Pipes and Drums are a volunteer civilian pipe band sponsored by the 33rd (Halifax) Service Battalion. The 33rd Service Battalion Pipes and Drums were formed in 1977 and members are proud to wear the Nova Scotia Tartan Kilts. The Nova Scotia Tartan was the first provincial tartan in Canada and reflects the great contribution of the Scots to the founding of Nova Scotia. The name Nova Scotia itself means New Scotland.

The 33rd Halifax Pipes and Drums are under the direction of Pipe Major Mike Dupuis. This past summer, in partnership with Democracy 250, the band participated in the Canada Day Parade in Ottawa, Ontario and the Calgary Stampede Parade in Calgary, Alberta, in addition to the regular parades and events throughout Nova Scotia.

The 33rd Halifax Pipes and Drums are a non competitive parade band with members from Halifax Regional Municipality, Truro, New Glasgow and surrounding areas.

In May 2005, the band took part in the Netherlands Liberation Anniversary, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Holland's Liberation by the allied forces. In 2010, the band will have the honour of returning to the Netherlands and participating in the 65th Netherlands Liberation Anniversary. This celebration is expected to be the largest and final public celebration organized by The National Committee Thank You Canada & Allied Forces.

-submitted by band manager Karen Hatcher

If you would like to see your pipe band featured in one of our newsletters, send us an email with a band photo and a short write up about the band. Feel free to offer some tips or advice that has proven useful to your band. Include any links or videos that you would like us to post.

Homecoming Scotland 2009

When planning your 2009 holidays, consider making a trip to Scotland to celebrate their homecoming. If you're from Scotland, of Scottish decent, or just like Scotland, 2009 is a great time to make the trip!

There are events planned all over Scotland from Robbie Burns' 250th birthday on Jan. 25th, right through to St. Andrew's Day on Nov. 30th.

There are conventions, parades, Highland Games, festivals and much much more. A great opportunity to experience whisky, golf, and music at its finest.

One of the main attractions of the Homecoming is the Clan Gathering July 25-26th in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh. Visitors from around the world will also experience Scotland's largest Highland Games.

For more information and a list of events, go to the Homecoming Scotland Website.



Don't forget to order your Christmas gifts early!
Special Order items can take anywhere from 3 days to 6 weeks to arrive!
Also, to ensure that all shipments arrive in time, order before these dates:
Expedited Within Canada- Dec 12th
Express Within Canada- Dec 19th
Expedited/Air to the US- Dec 10th
Express to the US- Dec 12th
International - Dec 5th.



If you're looking for some great music for the holiday season, check our our selection of Celtic Christmas CDs.

Video Clip
This month's clip is one of my favorite moments from the t.v. show Friends. Ross wants to play the bagpipes at Monica and Chandler's wedding.

Happy Birthday Nessie!

The Loch Ness Monster first made its "appearance" in 565 in St Columba's biography, but it was more recent times that brought the legend to life. It has been 75 years since the first photographic "proof" of Nessie appeared. Since then, thousands of photos and stories have emerged.

Although there were several reports of sightings before then, the first photograph was taken by Hugh Gray in November 1933. Although grainy and misty, the photo shows something in the loch. There are many speculations as to what it was.

People from all over the world wanted to get a glimpse of the creature, some determined to capture it. There have been numerous expeditions into the loch in search of evidence. In the 1960s, a ten year analysis was made. Sonar studies in 1968 found multiple large animate objects, but were unable to identify them. An expedition in 1987 reported several unidentified moving objects. There have also been strange sound recordings.

Constant hoaxes make it difficult to prove the existence or non-existence of Nessie. Many photographs have been altered to present a monster. One of the most famous is known as the "surgeon's photo", which presents a plesiosaur-like creature. (Plesiosaurs were long necked water dinosaurs believed to be extinct for several million years). This photo seemed to be legitimate evidence for almost 30 years, until revealed as a fake in 1994. Many other photos have been explained as birds, otters, deer, seals, and more.

The possibility of the Loch Ness Monster increased due to the recent discovery of a coelacanth fish that was believed to be extinct hundreds of millions of years ago. The discovery of "Nessie's Lair", a large underwater cavern, has added to the possibility suggesting there could be a network of caves to hide in.

You can decide for yourself whether you believe or not, but the legend continues to grow.