RRCMP "E" Division Pipe Band 
Profile: Hugh Peden







 








Hugh started piping at the age of 8. As a young boy growing up in Pine Falls Manitoba he was taught the pipes by one of Canada's well known Pipe Major's emerging from the Second World War: Pipe Major W.J. MacLeod of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Subsequent to the Second World War, P/M MacLeod moved to Pine Falls forming the Stirling Pipe Band in the early 1960’s. In 1969, Hugh joined the band and shortly thereafter started
competing in both a solo and band events.


Hugh’s early piping days were highlighted by highland games in Selkirk and Rivers Manitoba, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Red Deer Alberta, and Minneapolis Minnesota. In the late 1970’s the band was very successful winning the Manitoba Championship on multiple occasions.


In 1974, Hugh attended the Canadian Inter Provincial Championships at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa and placed 3rd in the solo Juvenile piping while the band placed in the medals in the Grade III Band competition. In 1978, through the Band’s association with the City of Winnipeg Massed Pipes and Drums, Hugh performed at the Air Canada Silver Broom in Winnipeg and again in 1979 traveled with the Massed Band to Berne Switzerland to perform an encore for the Silver Broom festivities. Hugh moved to Toronto upon graduation from the University of Manitoba in 1984 ending a 16 year association with the Stirling Pipe Band but maintaining boyhood friendships to this day.


In 1990, Hugh joined the Vancouver Police Pipe Band and for the next 17 years performed with the band around the world including memorable events in
Quebec City, Hawaii, Japan, San Diego, Hong Kong, Holland and Scotland. In 1997, Hugh was elected Pipe Staff Sergeant and took on the responsibility for teaching and managing the pipe section. Over the next 9 years, Hugh regularly commanded the band in the P/M’s absence and was very active in the ongoing operations, fund raising and event planning.


In early 2006, Hugh became the ‘acting’ Pipe Major of the Vancouver Police band due to illness of P/M Millman and continued in that role until November of that year. Highlights of his time in the Vancouver Police Band are numerous but none is more significant to Hugh than the daily performances at the 50th Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 1999 and performing the solo-piper role atop Edinburgh Castle one evening in the presence of the Chief Constable and subsequently receiving a Chief Constable’s commendation for his efforts. Hugh led the Pipe Band as acting P/M on trips to Honolulu Hawaii in 2000, to Breda Holland in 2001 and to the Calgary Stampede Parade in 2004.


Hugh joined the RCMP "E" Division Pipe Band in November 2006.  In 2007 he was appointed Pipe Sgt and subsequently in 2008 was appointed Pipe Major. He enjoys bringing his 40+ years of piping experience to the band and striving to meet the band’s full musical potential while keeping it a fun and enjoyable.

 

Hugh lives in Maple Ridge with his wife Cindy and sons Allister and William.


To send an email to Hugh,
click here.