George Thomson

"I was born in Saskatchewan and moved to North Vancouver when I was two.

My Father was a Chief in the Sons of Scotland and it seemed natural to follow the Scottish Traditions that surrounded me and I learned how to play the Great Highland Bagpipe.

The Sons of Scotland formed a Jr. Pipe Band and I took the opportunity to join the band. I was very fortunate to have four great instructors with each one adding to my love of the pipes and at the same time demanding perfection.

My first instructor was Isobel Thompson followed by two members of the Vancouver Police Pipe Band, Donald MacDonald and Ian Sinclair. Lessons were held in the basement of the Police Station on Pender and we amazed our captive audience. Under their instruction a fine Jr. Sons of Scotland Pipe Band developed.

I joined the Sr. Sons of Scotland Band and took my pipe lessons from P/M Donald Adamson. He polished up the rough edges and I am still grateful for his enrichment of my skills and enhancement of my love of the pipes.

The Burrard ShipYard Pipe Band invited me to play with them and they were a great bunch to be with. Captain Mitchell was an excellent P/M and the band did well under his direction.

One of my pipe band highlights was the formation of the Highland Laddie Pipe Band. A team of teachers consisting of Lionel Devine, Greg Regan, Frank Brady and myself formed the band. The band won many honors and toured considerably. The band eventually evolved into the Clansman Pipe Band as we know it to-day.

I went to Nova Scotia on a teacher exchange and while there I joined the Wylde Thyme Pipe Band. They were a wonderful, fun loving band and I felt honored to be part of the excitement and share in the comradeship that is so typical of Nova Scotia.

In closing, a fair share of my life has been devoted to Piping and Pipe Bands. The rewards have been many and I have been fortunate to share these rewards with my family. Piping with my son Bruce and playing with his band The Midnight sun Pipe Band of Whitehorse is just icing on the cake. Taking drum lessons from son Greg were certainly an experience and the end results were gratifying in the winning of a trophy for the best drum corps in competition."