Our History

Two musicians dressed in traditional Scottish attire playing bagpipes during a performance.
Group of musicians playing drums and bagpipes outdoors, some wearing berets, with buildings and traffic in the background, black and white photo.
A group of men dressed in traditional Scottish Highland dress with tartan kilts, jackets, and hats, posing with drums and a banner that reads 'Capital City Pipes & Drums,' inside a brick-walled room.

More than 50 years ago, an accomplished piper from Scotland by the name of Bobby Peters had a "Capital" idea...to form a bagpipe band in his new home of Columbus, Ohio.  After much diligent work, Capital City Pipes and Drums was formed and was destined to become one of the most familiar bands in Central Ohio.  Needless to say, there have been numerous changes to our membership over the past several decades, but the goal of the band has remained consistent - to promote the stirring music of the Highlands and the grandeur of the Scottish heritage throughout the region. 

More recently, Capital City Pipes and Drums has been the recipient of a gracious piper and benefactor, John G. Underwood, and The John G. Underwood School of Piping, Drumming, and Highland Dancing was founded in his name. We continue to honor his memory by having an active competition team, even competing in The World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland in 2015.

Pipe band marching in parade with large crowd watching