Trail B.C. Pipe Band has brought the song of the Scottish pipe and drum to Orofino during Orofino Lumberjack Days for several decades They perform in the main parade on Saturdays and are seen other locations around town.

The band was orginally formed from regiments returning from World War I. They initially played in a mixture of uniforms, but in early 1942 adopted the uniform they wear today modeled on the Scots Guards, guardians to Queen Elizabeth when she travels to Scotland. The tartan of the kilt and plaid is Royal Stuart, with green tunics for the pipers and red for the drummers. The feather bonnets were added in the 1960s, for use with the formal uniform on parade.

The repertoire is extensive, with the band leader able to call the members to play from nearly 80 different marches and dances that each member has memorized. The drum corps uses a complex array of beatings in multiple time signatures. (Audiences will note that none of the members reads music during the parade.)

Since the end of the Second World War, the band has been entertaining the people of British Columbia, Washington, Idaho and Montana, performing at parades and concerts in many cities.

As they have been for the last several years, band members are being hosted by Kenny and Sandy Weller. Sandy, who is from Scotland, describes having them as "a pure joy".

Photo courtesy of Trail Pipe Band

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