History of KHPB

1980 to 2000

As a result of the visit to Chief’s visit to Seattle, in 1980 a small contingent of the band made the first band trip to Scotland. During this visit, the 12th Earl of Kintore officially named the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band as the Official Pipe Band of the Clan Keith (a rare designation for a band not based in Scotland). The band performed in venues in Edinburgh, Stonehaven, Aberdeen and Oban. Receipt of permission to wear the Keith tartan and cap badge in 1952 led to establishing a relationship with the Chief of the Clan Keith and his family, as well as with the International Clan Keith Society organizations. The relationship with the Chief of Clan Keith grew stronger with 1980 trip to Scotland and first meeting with Sir Michael Keith, who would later become the 13th Earl of Kintore and Chief of the Clan Keith, his wife, Lady Mary Keith and their children, James and Iona.

Notable performances between 1980 and 2000 included performing for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to Seattle (1983), International Gathering of the Clans in Nova Scotia (1983), Independence Day celebrations in Ketchikan, Alaska (11 trips between 1976 and 1998), Mardi Gras Celebration in Mazatlan, Mexico (3 trips), Alaska Day Celebration in Sitka, Alaska (6 trips), performing the opening act for the Rod Stewart Concert at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington (1998), award ceremonies for the Ladies Professional Golf Association tournament (4 times), performance in 1997 on Seattle’s local comedy television show “Almost Live” in a parody of the 1995 movie Braveheart, and attendance at the New Hampshire Highland Games in 1997 with the 13th Earl of Kintore.

The band competed intermittently from 1981-1988, then competed more frequently in Grade 3 from 1989-1994. With the larger band membership changes that started in 1997, the band started competing in the Highland Games with increasing frequency in Grade 4 after 1997.