“Well, hello again!”
Written by Donald MacDonald
This summer 2022, after a three-year hiatus, the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band from Ottawa was more than ready to embark on their annual overseas trip to Scotland. They were fortunate to have many friends join them for this very special journey.
In addition to playing at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, there was a full itinerary of fun and memorable performances at Edinburgh City Hall, Holyrood Palace and Stirling Castle where along with two Canadian highland dance schools (Schiehallion and Champagne), the band delighted audiences. Yet the journey’s highlight was most certainly the show on August 17th, the final day of the trip, when the band was joined by guest pipers, drummers, and dancers from the UK and Australia to present an afternoon concert for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland.
Her Majesty was joined by sons Edward and Andrew, and granddaughter Eugenia. The latter was accompanied by her husband Jack and their young son August who was mesmerized by the show. The program began with a song written by Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion and movingly interpreted by singer Michaela Foster Marsh. This song, “Strength and Stay”, accompanied by the pipes, celebrated the special bond between Her Majesty and her late husband, Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Champion American dancer, Gabby Pealer of West Virginia, was featured in a solo dance called the Seann Triubhas. This was followed by other stirring pipe and drum sets and dance choreographies.
Flanked by her two sons, the Queen’s enjoyment of this colourful and spirited performance was evident from her wide smile. Performers and guests, numbering 160 in all, were thrilled and honoured to be at Balmoral Castle for this important Jubilee year show. Though she was not able to walk around this year to meet the band as she had done in previous years, Her Majesty was alert and engaged throughout the 30-minute show.
As this was the band’s 5th Royal performance, Her Majesty warmly greeted Pipe Major Bisaillion saying “Well, hello again”, an expression that we will not hear again from Her Majesty on this earthly plane but one that we will treasure always.
