Billed as the biggest Robbie Burns Day Celebration in Greater Victoria, more than 500 people packed into the Mary Winspear Centre on Jan. 27.
It was the Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band’s 21st year hosting the celebration of the famous Scottish poet and all things Scotland, at the Sidney centre, said Jim Maxwell, executive director of the Victoria Scottish Community Centre.
Despite having police in the name, the pipe band is comprised only two band members were police officers, said Colin Magee, treasurer of the band.
The celebration began at 5 p.m., and as the guests took their seats and got comfortable, they were welcomed by the sounds of bagpipes from the piping band led by Warren Fells, pipe major.
The piping band has played all at the Highland Games at Topaz Park and went to the Highland Games in Scotland to compete, said Fells.
Fells said that to be a piper, you must have good lung capacity and an interest in Scottish culture. “Most people can pick it up on their own,” he said.
As the night got underway, the crowd became more boisterous, and the haggis was brought into the main dining hall, with members of the pipe band playing as it was brought to the stage.
Despite the large crowd, there is a danger that Scottish traditions such as Robbie Burns Day and piping bands are in danger of disappearing, Maxwell said.
“The next generation isn’t there yet, as being in a piping band costs money. Then you have to have space to do it, and then you have to buy a uniform. Could be $2,000 just for the uniform.”
Maxwell said that the community has been lucky as donors have come to the Scottish community’s aid and have helped subsidize the cost associated with pipe bands.
“Otherwise, like a lot of that culture, it just dies. The common man and all that good stuff.”