Our story
Welcome to Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band!
We are a pipe band based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, performing under the direction of Pipe Major Rich Smith.
Our motto:
“Fortem Tempestatem”
Strong Storm
Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band originally formed in the early 1990’s in Portchester, founded by three former members of the Seaforth Highlanders. In our early days, we were known as ‘Tullock Ard’ – a Gaelic phrase meaning ‘big green hill’. We briefly merged with the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service band, before we re-established ourselves independently in Marchwood in the late 1990’s. Southampton served as our home base until our move to Portsmouth in 2023, where we remain, and continue to grow and thrive!
For much of our history, we wore the Prince Charles Edward Stuart tartan. In 2024, we proudly adopted the newly woven Kintyre Storm tartan. The Kintyre collection was inspired by the Kintyre peninsula on Scotland’s west coast. The Storm variation transitions from dark navy to soft greys, symbolising the seas and ever-changing skies, capturing the regions dramatic weather.
