Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band

06/14/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Birthday to the United States Army!

Today we honor 251 years of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering service to our nation.

06/09/2026

Some more photos of the epic farewell tour of the amazing Rod Stewart. Our pipers Mike McKee, Dianne Nunez, and Bill Cooley had the great honor of opening before the red curtain rose and Sir Rod wowed the crowd with his many hits. It was a great evening! Photo credit: AZ Central

06/09/2026

Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band Pipers Bill Cooley, Dianne Nunez and Mike McKee were honored to play the opener for the amazing Rod Stewart last night at Mortgage Matchup Center. The crowd was electric and when the curtain raised to reveal Sir Rod rocking to the beat it brought down the house.

06/06/2026

On this day, June 6, 1944 the Allied Forces made a heroic advance on the shores of Normandy France. Piper Bill Millin, under the command of Lord Lovat, piped troops ashore, back and forth, under heavy German fire. His pipes were hit and he repaired them on the spot and kept playing. He went on to inspire the men and bring fear to the enemy. A statue has been erected in Normandy honoring his service. Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band has been invited to perform next year at the D-Day Commemoration and Parade in Normandy France on June 6, 2027. We could not be more honored and humbled. We will keep you informed of the details of the trip. Perhaps some of you would like to join us, either performing or simply traveling along on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

05/21/2026

Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band would like to honor those who never made it out of their uniform, this Memorial Day. People often confuse the holidays of Armed Forces Day (those still in uniform), Veterans Day (those who hung up their uniform) and Memorial Day (those who never made it out of their uniform). Honor the fallen this weekend when you celebrate with your family and friends. They are the reason we are still free.

05/18/2026

Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band is thrilled to announce we will be performing in The Washington Tattoo alongside incredible performers from around the world. DC - See you in July!

05/04/2026

May the 4th be with you! Happy Star Wars Day! #

04/20/2026

Congratulations to MCPB Drum Majors Colleen McMillan Wilson and Carlyle Conquest on their successes at the Las Vegas Highland Games! Colleen won the Adult Aggregate Champion. Carlyle was selected as Drum Major of the Year by Dr Ken Misch and the Las Vegas Celtic Society, winning the Ben Misch Memorial Trophy. Well done!

04/16/2026

Today is the 280th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden. It was a turning point in the culture and history of Scotland. The music, the kilt, and everything that made Scotland unique were banned as a result of this terrible loss in the Highlands. But as history has proven out, the Scots are never down and will never stop playing the bagpipes or wearing the Tartan. Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band honors all those that came before us and all those that will come after us. Thank you to Discover Skye Private Tours for the history. Culloden Battlefield NTS

On this day in 1746, one of the most infamous battles in Scottish history took place on Drumossie Moor.

The Battle of Culloden was the culmination of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, an attempt to put the House of Stuart back on the British throne.

By this point, they had been fighting since August, marching all the way from the Scottish Highlands to Derby in England. The Jacobites hadn't lost a battle yet, but after a long retreat, they were on the back foot with time (and food) running out for them.

9000 government soldiers, led by the Duke of Cumberland, were approaching Inverness. If the Jacobites, led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, lost the town, the rising was as good as over, so they had no choice but to make their stand.

There was no suitable battlefield nearby and after a daring night attack failed, the exhausted and outnumbered Jacobites were forced to take up position at boggy, flat Culloden.

Cannons fired first, but with the wet moorland soaking up most of the damage, the barrage didn't last for long. But then the Jacobites surged forward, because that's what Jacobites did, and it had won every battle up until now.

The fearsome Highland Charge consisted of speeding towards the enemy, firing a single volley at close range before rushing in with sword and dirk swinging.

That's what the government army was expecting, though.

Their cannons switched to canister shot - packs of small lead balls that spread from the barrel, shredding lines of soldiers. Clan chiefs charging at the front of their men were some of the first to fall, destroying morale and leadership.

Even under the barrage, the Jacobite right wing still reached enemy lines, causing carnage amongst their ranks. Unfortunately, their left wing had stalled while crossing poorer ground. In the end, the Jacobites were forced to flee.

Bonnie Prince Charlie attempted to rally the fleeing troops and had to be practically dragged from the field. It was clear to his generals that this fight was lost, but as long as their leader survived, they could go on to fight another day.

That fight would never come.

04/08/2026

Early start this morning for Dianne Nunez and Kevin Conquest, performing at the East Valley Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast, part of america250 celebrations nationwide!