Strike up the pipes! North Otago Highland Pipe Band celebrates 125 years of music, pride and community spirit with a special variety concert at the Ōamaru Opera House. 

One of New Zealand’s earliest pipe bands, it first met at St Andrew’s Hall, Ōamaru, on 24 October 1901, with 24 pipers and four drummers reported in the Oamaru Mail. 

By 1902, the band had purchased its first uniform in McLean of Duart tartan, honouring first Chieftain John McLean.

Across the decades, the band has built halls, lit pathways in Queens Gardens and kept the pipes playing through generations. 

Now, they mark this milestone in true festival style. 

Join them for local talent, toe-tapping entertainment, pipes, pageantry and a heartfelt thank you to the community that has supported them for 125 years.