Pipe dreams come true on the South Shore

Heather Armstrong creates South Shore Pipes and Drums Association

DAVE MATHIESON SOUTH SHORE BREAKER

CHESTER BASIN, N.S. – Bagpipes echo throughout the history of Nova Scotia and Heather Armstrong recently brought those echoes to the South Shore.

“I’ve been piping since I was 10 years old and there was a culture and community I had when I was little that I thought South Shore would like to have as well,” Armstrong said.

Founded by Armstrong in May of 2018 and currently based out of the United Church in Mahone Bay, the South Shore Pipes and Drums has grown from 10 to close to 30 members.

Armstrong’s love of the bagpipes started innocently enough.

“My nana and grampy, I even remember the day, we were watching Dartmouth and Districts Pipes and Drums in downtown Dartmouth by the ferry terminal,” Armstrong said. “I was watching and I said I wanted to do that. It was so inspirational.”

Soon after, she joined the Dartmouth and Districts Pipes and Drums and never looked back.

Now 34, Armstrong’s piping journey has taken her to events throughout Canada, Ireland and Scotland, and she has won many prestigious piping awards over the years.

But when she moved from Halifax to Chester Basin in

2014, she entered a pocket of the province where piping hadn’t taken hold.

Her father was a teacher and he instilled his love of teaching into his daughter. Although Armstrong did teach some piping in the past, the South Shore provided an opportunity to bring her teaching skills to a new level, especially teaching young kids.

“I love children and I love teaching. It’s something I’m passionate about,” she said.

“I see the frustration they’re having with the instrument and we’ll have a good laugh,” she added. “I remember being there, and I’m still there because it’s an instrument you continue to learn on.”

Kids usually start playing bagpipes around the age of eight or nine.

“Their fingers are a little bit longer at that age and they pay attention easier.”

The South Shore Pipes and

Drums has members of all ages.

“We have a grandfather who plays pipes and his granddaughter is learning,” Armstrong said. “They’re in the band, so it’s really neat. It’s turning into a family.”

In the past, the surge of bagpipes was wailed upon the frontlines of war to inspire men to go into battle and Armstrong says that surge of confidence can still be felt today.

“Throughout history, it was the instrument that stood up for the community in times of war and I find, even when we practice and learn to march, it gives a lot of confidence no matter what age you are.”

Her grandfather was in the military and he, along with Armstrong’s grandmother, were active in the volunteer community. The South Shore Pipes and Drums is one way to keep their memory alive.

“They passed away and many

Heather Armstrong’s love of piping and Celtic history has found a foothold on the South Shore and continues to grow. She moved from Halifax to Chester Basin in 2014, and in 2018 founded the South Shore Pipes and Drums Association. of my mentors who have taught me to pipe have passed away and I feel like it’s my duty now to keep it going,” Armstrong said. “As everybody knows, life is short and we have to keep the spirit of those who passed away going.”

The pipe and drum community has helped her keep that spirit alive.

“I’ve been in the pipe and drum community since I was 10 and my brother is a drum sergeant, so he’s in the pipe and drum community as well,” Armstrong said. “We have such a beautiful community, and we’re getting donations from everywhere. It’s like the entire community is believing in it.”

Besides piping and drums, members of the association have learned other Celtic traditions.

“We had a Gaelic teacher come to the South Shore and teach Gaelic, and we also had a workshop on how to properly dress when you’re wearing a kilt. It’s about bringing the culture this way.”

Armstrong says they need more drummers, and they’re having another Gaelic workshop soon.

The New Year pipe and drums session opened Monday, Jan. 6, at the United Church in Mahone Bay, N.S.

The agenda is:

• 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Beginner chanter

• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Parade practice

• 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Competition practice.

The South Shore Pipes and Drums is a non-profit organization. Anybody interested in joining can call Armstrong at 902-293-2051, or email her at infosspda@gmail.com.

More information can also be found of their Facebook page at South Shore Pipes and Drums Association.