About Us
The Dunvegan Pipe Band was originally formed in 1960 under the name of the Lockheed Pipe Band. It was formed to provide its pipers and drummers with an opportunity to pursue their interests in Scottish traditions and to perpetuate the playing of bagpipe music. While many members are of Scottish descent, the only membership requirement is a genuine interest in the customs and music of Scotland. The band was organized under the direction of Calvin H. Biggar, who served as Pipe Major through 1966. Pipe Major Thomas Kinnear assumed musical direction and leadership and served in that capacity until 1967. In 1968, the leadership role was assumed by Ozzie Reid, formerly of the 6th U. S. Army Pipe Band, the Los Angeles Scottish Pipe Band, and the San Francisco Police Pipe Band. Pipe Major Reid was born in Northern Ireland and has been very actively involved in pipe band work since his arrival in the United States in 1953. In 1976, due to a ruling by the U. S. Internal Revenue Service, the band was forced to disassociate its operation from the Lockheed Company. At that time it chose the name of Dunvegan Pipe Band. The name "Dunvegan" is taken from the ancestral home of Clan MacLeod on the Isle of Skye, which is also the ancestral home of the MacCrimmons, historically the finest playing and teaching pipers in Scotland. Dunvegan had developed into one of the consistently top-flight pipe bands in the United States. The thrust of the band has changed over the years. From basically a parade-style band Dunvegan has become more of a competition and concert-oriented organization. The band was considered by many as one of the most musically inventive and original in North America and has appeared in both competitions and concerts throughout the Pacific Coast area, including Arizona, Nevada, Utah, British Columbia, and Hawaii. Dunvegan ceased competing in the mid-1990's and has continued to perform for various functions around Northern California, such as the Festival of Remembrance held at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in November. The band performed at their first Highland Games in 19 years at the Dixon Highland Games in 2013.
In 2012, The Dunvegan Pipe Band saw the retirement of P/M Ozzie Reid and the appointment of P/M Erik Leiken. In 2016, the band added a B band for student pipers and drummers to improve their skills in fellowship with their peers. The band boasts membership from all over California and practices at the Church of the Epiphany in San Carlos, The Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley in Milpitas, The Valley Community Church in Sacramento, and at the Scottish Meat Pie Co. in Dixon. The band is the official pipe band of the Dixon Scottish Cultural Association.
The Dunvegan Pipe Band was originally formed in 1960 under the name of the Lockheed Pipe Band. It was formed to provide its pipers and drummers with an opportunity to pursue their interests in Scottish traditions and to perpetuate the playing of bagpipe music. While many members are of Scottish descent, the only membership requirement is a genuine interest in the customs and music of Scotland. The band was organized under the direction of Calvin H. Biggar, who served as Pipe Major through 1966. Pipe Major Thomas Kinnear assumed musical direction and leadership and served in that capacity until 1967. In 1968, the leadership role was assumed by Ozzie Reid, formerly of the 6th U. S. Army Pipe Band, the Los Angeles Scottish Pipe Band, and the San Francisco Police Pipe Band. Pipe Major Reid was born in Northern Ireland and has been very actively involved in pipe band work since his arrival in the United States in 1953. In 1976, due to a ruling by the U. S. Internal Revenue Service, the band was forced to disassociate its operation from the Lockheed Company. At that time it chose the name of Dunvegan Pipe Band. The name "Dunvegan" is taken from the ancestral home of Clan MacLeod on the Isle of Skye, which is also the ancestral home of the MacCrimmons, historically the finest playing and teaching pipers in Scotland. Dunvegan had developed into one of the consistently top-flight pipe bands in the United States. The thrust of the band has changed over the years. From basically a parade-style band Dunvegan has become more of a competition and concert-oriented organization. The band was considered by many as one of the most musically inventive and original in North America and has appeared in both competitions and concerts throughout the Pacific Coast area, including Arizona, Nevada, Utah, British Columbia, and Hawaii. Dunvegan ceased competing in the mid-1990's and has continued to perform for various functions around Northern California, such as the Festival of Remembrance held at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in November. The band performed at their first Highland Games in 19 years at the Dixon Highland Games in 2013.
In 2012, The Dunvegan Pipe Band saw the retirement of P/M Ozzie Reid and the appointment of P/M Erik Leiken. In 2016, the band added a B band for student pipers and drummers to improve their skills in fellowship with their peers. The band boasts membership from all over California and practices at the Church of the Epiphany in San Carlos, The Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley in Milpitas, The Valley Community Church in Sacramento, and at the Scottish Meat Pie Co. in Dixon. The band is the official pipe band of the Dixon Scottish Cultural Association.