Space Coast Highlanders

The Space Coast Highlanders is an award-winning bagpipe and drum band located in Brevard County in the State of Florida, USA. All are welcome to browse our site. If you are interested in hiring us for a performance or want to learn how to play the bagpipes or drums please contact us. For our band meeting time and location, visit our practice page.

The Space Coast Highlanders was formerly known as the City of Melbourne Pipes and Drums. In 2016, we changed our name to better reflect who we are and where we are from. We are located in Brevard County, Florida along the Space Coast – the region in the United States around the NASA Kennedy Space Center.s

The Space Coast Highlanders had its roots in 1992. The band was originally called The Oceanside Pipes and Drums under the direction of Pipe Major Jim Nisbet. The band saw itself as a community-based organization with competition aspirations. The band’s mission was also to further the great traditions of Scottish music in a culturally stimulating and entertaining manner.

In 1997, David Spurlock took over the helm as Pipe Major, and changed the band name to the City of Melbourne Pipes and Drums. During this period, the band participated in several band competitions and in 2004, we earned several first place awards making us the Southern United States Pipe Band Association (SUSPBA) Grand Champion band for the year.

Performances are professionally presented in full kilt regalia featuring the Flower of Scotland Tartan. Occasions such as weddings, funerals, banquets, conventions, festivals, parades, fairs, and seasonal celebrations are just some of the performance specialties. Although the Band receives performance fees to help defray maintenance expenses, a certain amount of complimentary time is dedicated to community service and cultural heritage performances. This has helped spread the word about the Space Coast Highlanders, and the reaction has been fantastic.