Founded in 1994, the Dunlap Highland Band is Maine's longest-running community pipe band. The band was originally named the Dunlap Fraternal Highlanders after its founding location: a masonic lodge in Biddeford, Maine. In the early years, the band’s uniform was patterned off the Black Watch’s No. 1 dress uniform, with pipers wearing Royal Stewart tartan and drummers wearing Black Watch.

In the late 1990s, under the leadership of Pipe Major George Pulkkinen, the Dunlap Highland Band incorporated as a non-profit and opened membership to the general public. In 2000, the band adopted Maine Dirigo tartan shortly after the tartan was developed by the St. Andrews Society of Maine.

Today, the Dunlap Highland Band is an active parade band, performing at events throughout northern New England.

The Dunlap Highland Band is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to preservation and enjoyment of Scottish music and tradition. The primary purpose of the Band is to encourage those members of the general public who are interested, especially the youth of the community, to pursue a Scottish musical education without creating financial burden. A secondary purpose is to provide instruments and/or help with uniforms for those members of the Band who would otherwise find participation impossible. We are able to accomplish these goals with the money we earn at performance events, fundraising and through the generous donations we receive from various individuals, businesses and organizations such as the St. Andrews Society of Maine.

Senior band members teach piping and drumming free of charge. These lessons are available at our weekly practice sessions.

We have two practice locations covering central and southern Maine:

• Sundays, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM at Oceanwood Camp in Ocean Park, Old Orchard Beach, ME.

• Thursdays, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the Oakland Fire Station in Oakland, ME.

We welcome anyone of any age or background who has an interest to participate. If you are already proficient on the pipes or drums and are interested in joining our band, please stop by practice and speak to Pipe Major Tom Martineau or Pipe Sergeant Vera Maheu.