Our Story
Band History
Nearly 90 years of Scottish music, camaraderie, and proud competition — from the first Highland Gathering to the World Pipe Band Championships.
Inspired by the rich tradition of Scottish music, the Burns Club Pipe Band was formed in 1928 when a group of passionate players gathered at a Highland Gathering in Canberra. With their exceptional talent and unwavering dedication, the band quickly gained recognition as a true force to be reckoned with.
Fast forward to the mid-1930s, and the band solidified its position as a true musical powerhouse, thanks to the efforts of legendary musicians Jack Ross and Sandy Stuart. Today, the Burns Club Pipe Band continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their soul-stirring performances and timeless melodies.
The band wears Royal Stewart tartan — a pattern granted official approval by King George VI, solidifying its place in history as a symbol of Scottish heritage and royal tradition.
Timeline of Milestones
Origins
Band Is Formally Founded
Jack Ross becomes pipe major
Post-War Rebuild
Colin McKenzie becomes drum major
New Leadership
David Stirling becomes pipe major and Charlie Caulfield becomes drum major
First Female Member
Betty Martin (nee- Kellie) became the first female band member.
Jim Ogilvie becomes pipe major
New players
Including George Waterson, Don Fraser, Adam Macintosh, Robert Davidson, Brian Perrin, Victor Batch, Jim Orr, Harry Schmidt, John Wallace, David Turbitt and Bob Ellis. The Band also played as the Third Battalion of the Werriwa Regiment of the Australian Army for 3 years.
Bill Nicholson joined the Band.
Bill would go on to be our longest serving member and was awarded a lifetime membership of the band
The band entered its first competition
Tom Russell becomes drum major
John Skinner, Bob Walker join the Band.
The Band wins its first grade 3 competition at Newcastle
The Band wins again at Newcastle
Will Brown Snr., Tom Brown, Jim Moyes, Bill Rudd and Joe Haxten joined the Band.
Bill Rudd becomes drum major
The Band wins 2nd Grade at the Australian Championships in Melbourne
A 3rd place at Newcastle at the New South Wales Championships.
The band takes 2nd place in Queanbeyan.
Band is promoted to 1st grade.
A last place at the Australian Championships allowed the band to be regraded into 2nd grade. The Kingston-Narrabundah RSL Memorial Pipe band was formed, players coming from Queanbeyan.
Will Brown Snr. becomes pipe major
The band takes 2nd place at Newcastle
Following the competition 2 players were killed; John Duncan and Graham Leslie and 3 others injured in a car crash.
Kingston-Narrabundah RSL Memorial Pipe band renamed
changed its name to James Reay Fraser Memorial Pipe Band.
Tom Brown becomes pipe major
1st place at the South Australian championships in Adelaide
1st place Newcastle. 1st at Goulburn.
Robbie Ogilvie become Pipe Major of the Fraser Pipe Band with several Burns Club players joining him there.
1st place Wagga Wagga in grade 2 and 2nd in Grade 1.
Will Brown Snr. becomes pipe major
Will Brown Jnr becomes pipe major
Formation of the Canberra Caledonian Pipes & Drums
with Norman McLean Pipe Major.
Bruce Campbell becomes pipe major
Bill Dunbar becomes pipe major
Jim Stuart becomes pipe major
Fraser Pipe Band players joined us
Athol Chalmers becomes pipe major
Bill Nicholson becomes drum major
Ian Carruthers becomes grade 4 pipe major
Burkley Competition saw the band compete for the first time in 10 years.
The Band won grade 4. Following the competition the New South Wales PBA regraded the Band into 3rd Grade, after an appeal we were able to remain in 4th grade. A major influx of players occurred following the members of the Canberra Caledonian Pipes and Drums joining us. With 50 players we were able to form 2 competition bands, grade 2 and 4.
John Brown becomes grade 4 pipe major
Stuart Gray becomes grade 4 pipe major
John Brown becomes grade 4 pipe major
Band competes in Scotland
A band trip was organised with the band competing at multiple competition across Scotland, including the World Pipe Band Championships
Ian Carruthers becomes grade 4 pipe major
Band competes in Scotland
A band trip was organised with the band competing at multiple competition across Scotland, including the World Pipe Band Championships
Band competes in Singapore
Sean Hodgman becomes pipe major
Band Wins Grade 4A at the NSW State Champions 2025
This is Timeline description, you can change me anytime click here
Be Part of the Next Chapter
The band continues to grow and thrive. Come along to a practice night or get in touch to find out how you can be part of this living piece of Canberra history.