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Piper takes his talent home to Scotland

Former Armstrong resident Daniel Ferguson and his band shine at World Pipe Band Championships
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Former North Okanagan resident Daniel Ferguson and his band, Culter and District Pipes &Drums, has triumphed at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Based in Aberdeen, Scotland, the band placed fourth out of 60 bands in the Grade 4B category.

“They sounded great,” said Ferguson’s former piping tutor, Pipe Major Don MacLeod with the North Okanagan Pipes &Drums in Vernon.

MacLeod taught the younger piper during the seven years Ferguson and his family lived in the Okanagan and he was a member of the youth pipe band.

“My chest was swelling with pride as I stood there watching this now 6’ 4”, 17-year-old march out in the front row of the band and even more proud of the quality of the sound the band produced,” said MacLeod.

Ferguson’s parents, Roy and Eunice Ferguson, immigrated to Canada with his sister Emma and settled in Armstrong. They returned to Scotland in 2013. In 2006, Emma played at the championships as a tenor drummer with Towie &District Pipes &Drums.

Come join the North Okanagan Pipes &Drums for an open house at Vernon’s Upper Room Mission, 3403-27th Ave., Vernon on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

“Listen to the music of the pipes and drums, chat with the band members and even try out any or all of the instruments,” said MacLeod. “Whether you are young or just young at heart, you may find you have a hidden talent and we could help you explore it. Maybe you could become a piper or drummer?”

For more information, contact MacLeod at 250-260-1001 or see www.kalamalkapiper.com

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Founded in October of 2012, the North Okanagan Pipes and Drums has 26 members, all of whom are interested in getting together, playing the music they love, and performing for the community.

Under the direction of Pipe Major Don MacLeod, the band is based in Vernon, but also has members from Armstrong, the BX, Coldstream and Kelowna. To honour Vernon’s pipe band history, the band wears the Ancient MacBeth tartan, as worn by the former Kildonnan Pipe Band.