This is the Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band of Reno, Nevada USA, led by Pipe Major Burch Palmer and Drum Sergeant John LoGiurato.
The year was 1865, when Virginia City first celebrated the birthday of Scotland's Poet Laureate, Robert Burns. These early Celtic immigrants to our state could never have known that 95 years later another immigrant from Scotland, John "Scotty" Sneddon, would walk into the Reno Police Department with the idea of starting a Police Pipe Band. Sneddon had served with the Gordon Highlanders during World War I, and soon after, became Pipe Major of the 1st Highland Light Infantry.
Only two police officers, Richard James and Calvin Lovegrove answered the call. So Scotty decided to open the band to civilians. It was James' wife, Wilma that suggested "Sierra Highlanders" as a name for the new band. The band adopted the Buchanan tartan because Scotty wanted a tartan that could be seen from a distance, and would stand out in a crowd. Although not required, the band secured permission from the Chief of Clan Buchanan for the use of the tartan.
In 1961 the band officially formed and became incorporated. The founding members included future Pipe Major, teacher, and most enduring piper, Dr. James F. Flanagan, Jr. It was under Flanagan's leadership that the Sierra Highlanders expanded their membership and performances. They played in parades throughout the Reno area, and in diverse venues such as San Francisco's St. Patrick's Day parade, and county fairs in Flanagan's hometown of Quincy, California. The Sierra Highlanders became a fixture of Carson City's Nevada Day Parade each year. Fans would travel great distances just to see the band play.
The Sierra Highlanders plays for several parades and concerts throughout the year, as well as pipe band competitions across the western US.
All the great pipe bands around the world - primarily the Simon Frasier University Pipe Band, The 78th Frasiers, The Victoria Police Pipe Band, and the Los Angeles Scots.
The Sierra Highlanders plays MacCallum pipe chanters and Andante drums
More information about the band can be found at
http://www.sierrahighlanderspipeband.com/