Band History

Our original name was "The Squamish Kinsman Pipe Band" which was officially formed in 1979. It was organised by five largely middle-aged residents of Squamish.These were Ian Walker (from the UBC and Powell River Bands), as Pipe Major; Alex Poole (from the Ocean Falls, Enniskillen and British Ex Servicemen bands), Pipe-Sgt; and Jim Coubrough (from Port Moody band), a Piper. The leading Side Drummer was F.L. "Dusty" Rhodes, a former member of the Trail band and the Bass drummer was Glen Burton from Kelowna.

Ian Walker taught many pipers and "Dusty" Rhodes trained many drummers. Ian's son Jim served as a drummer during this period.

The band is continuing to contribute much to the local Communities and recently further and further afield.Various venues such as Remembrance Day, Canada Day, Parades, Fairs and Legion events are but a few. Concerts and Competitions are becoming regular and this band is becoming well known.

In 1982 the band welcomed Lt, Gov; Henry Bell-Irving on HMCS Restigouce and Lt Gov; Bob Rogers on HMCS Kootenay, in 1985. In 1986 the band was presented with Community Service Award by Mayor Egon Tobus at a Civic Luncheon. Great public support has been given to the band since it was formed and it has enjoyed close relations with the local Royal Canadian Legion Diamondhead Branch 277.

In 1990 the Band became sponsored by the Legion and now it has changed its name to The Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band.

The current MacGregor tartan was instituted by Pipe Major Wallace Fletcher around 1990.He was originally from Calgary, and a very fine piper who began playing with the band in the fall of 1989. His expertise greatly improved the playing standards of the band.

The present Pipe Major is Luc LeBlanc. Luc has widened the perspective of the band and has fostered competition and travel to further expose its obvious talents.