The White Hackle Pipe Band - 1970s+

The White Hackle Pipe Band was a new name for the St. Andrew's Boy's Pipe Band of old, and in the 1970s the band developed an ambitious program of competing, performance and travel that saw the band travel first to central Canada to challenge at Maxville, and then eventually all across the country and beyond. They undertook tours to Scotland, the USA, Australia and many parts of Canada.

The P-M for many years was James L. McWilliams, and he had a strong interest in composing and arranging that saw the band take on some unusual challenges for the day, but always rounded off with a great competitive presence. After Jim retired from the band, he eventually moved to British Columbia, and the White Hackle had a number of pipe majors, including:

• Valerie Gray

• Mary Ann Houston

• Betty Anne Sinclair

• Dan Matheson

• Dan Robinson 

L to R: Michael Wiseman, Marshall Patterson, Andy Vadesz, Jeff McMurdo. Bass drummer = Ron McGeachy

The White Hackle
At this time, the band was partly sponsored by the Moose Jaw Optimist Club.
Photo: courtesy Jim McWilliams

The White Hackle
The band travelled widely in the 1980s, attending the Expo in Sydney, Australia and the one in Vancouver. They also travelled to Scotland, and to various locations in the USA. The small drummer at right is Ryan Sullivan (former L/D of City of Regina, Rocky Mountain and member of Alberta Caledonia and 78th Halifax Citadel) and the tall drummer beside him is ex-L/D for Alberta Caledonia, Tim Boan.

The White Hackle Pipe Band Drum Corps
Saskatchewan Grade 3 Champions, 1996
(L-R) Kenna Whelan, Sunil Pandila, Mark Benson, Dan McDougall (L/D), Andy Kopciuck, Arvid Nash, Joyce Nash.