History
About the Band
Band Scope
The RCMP Tartan
About the Band
The RCMP Regimental Pipes and Drums of Alberta is comprised of Civilian, Military and RCMP members. In the early 1990s the Commissioner of the RCMP was approached by RCMP Members from Alberta and approved the wearing of RCMP uniform with a kilt. With the support of the Commanding Officer of ‘K’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Les Holmes, it was decided to form a Pipe Band. A small group of volunteers from the RCMP supported by citizen volunteers began to develop the band. It was decided to adopt the McLeod tartan in honor of RCMP Commissioner Colonel McLeod, the second Commissioner of the RCMP and the historical link to Alberta. The Pipe Band performed its first official engagement at the Change of Command Ceremony when Assistant Commissioner Holmes retired as the C.O. of ‘K’ Division in 1993.
In 1997 as part of the 125th Anniversary of the RCMP a tartan was approved. A volunteer tartan committee, representing the Force's geographical regions, called for submissions and hosted competition to select an appropriate tartan. Mrs. Violet Holmes of Burnaby, British Columbia, provided the art work that lead to the creation of the official RCMP tartan. Mrs. Holmes is the wife of Assistant Commissioner Les Holmes who helped to start the idea of a pipe band in the RCMP.
Band Scope
The band is a not for profit group with members throughout Alberta that promote the RCMP within Alberta and nationally. We are always looking for new people to join us. Our members have to be prepared to participate in a regimental style band that represents over 130 years of RCMP traditions and history. Dress and deportment are very important. The band uniform consists of the RCMP scarlet tunic and the RCMP tartan kilt. This uniform is recognized world wide and represents a national institution.
The band participates in many community events and parades as well as formal RCMP functions. Members have traveled to Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year Celebrations, the Halifax Tattoo and Victoria (BC) Military Music Festival. The band has also played for Royalty, the Premier of Alberta and Senior Government Officials. We normally charge a fee for attending an event but are willing to attend some charity events for free. We have supported the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation, United Way and Northern Alberta Brain Injury Society.
The RCMP Tartan
The design of the RCMP
tartan was undertaken to mark the 125th Anniversary of the RCMP in 1997.
A volunteer tartan committee representative of the Force's geographical
regions consulted extensively across Canada, called for submissions and
hosted a friendly competition to select an appropriate tartan. Mrs. Violet
Holmes of Burnaby, British Columbia, provided the art work that led to the
creation of the tartan.
The first proposal was sent to Ottawa from Edmonton in 1992 (by Violet and Sgt. Jim Medley) but it took 6 years to reach fruition. On July 1, 1998, just in time for the RCMP 125th celebration at the Halifax Tattoo, Violet’s tartan design made its first official showing, by way of a composite band of RCMP from across Canada, all wearing RCMP Tartan kilts! - and all under the direction of Ottawa RCMP Pipe Major Graham Muir.
The
committee then partnered with Burnett's and Struth Scottish Regalia Ltd.
of Barrie, Ontario and Lochcarron of Scotland woolen mills to produce the
tartan. Following approval by Commissioner Murray, the RCMP Tartan received
accreditation by The Scottish Tartans Society in Pitlochry, Scotland.
This document was formally presented to the RCMP by HRH the Royal Princess Anne during her visit to Atlantic Canada in June, 1998 in Fredericton, NB.
The
tartan was woven by Lochcarron Mills in Scotland; pleated into kilts by
Burnetts & Struth, Barrie, Ontario, and adopted as the Official Order
of Dress for all RCMP Pipers and newly formed Pipe Bands. All are proud
to be wearing their very own tartan kilts with the red serge instead of
the former compulsory ‘banana pants.’ (‘Banana Pants’
is a popular term for the straight leg, navy blue uniform dress pant with
the yellow stripe down the side.)
The tartan colours are as rich and varied as the heritage they represent. They are true to RCMP tradition as they are derived from the colours of the Force's uniform and badge. The colours weave into a perfectly balanced tartan design. The over-all effect is pleasingly subtle, reflecting a harmonious interplay of colour that provides an excellent complement to the Force's world-renowned Red Serge tunic.
Navy Blue
This dark blue is the background colour of the tartan. It is the colour of the riding breeches traditionally worn by the members. It is also characteristic of the saddle blanket used by members of the Musical Ride. The dark shade of blue lends a subtle character to the tartan and compliments the members scarlet tunics.
Scarlet Red
This colour is unique to the RCMP. It is the colour of the instantly recognizable red serge known the world over. The scarlet recalls the early years of the Force and of Canada when the colour was worn in service of "Her Majesty", reflecting the presence of the monarchy in the British Empire.
Yellow
It is the colour of the cavalry stripes found on the RCMP's ceremonial uniform and daily work uniforms.
Gold
This colour is from the crown and letters found on the RCMP crest.
Sienna Brown
This colour represents the buffalo, the centrepiece of the RCMP Crest. It is also symbolic of the western plains where the Force's first members served.
Forest Green
This is the colour of the maple leaves that surround the buffalo and scroll found on the crest. The maple leaf itself is distinctively Canadian. The green also symbolizes a link to the land and country.