The City of Dunedin, Florida has had a long tradition of a Scottish heritage. The City of Dunedin recognizes Stirling, Scotland as a sister city. The Highlander Band also shares this same heritage.

In 1957, representatives of the Dunedin business community, the Dunedin Junior High School, and the Band Boosters united to transform the Junior High School Band into the Highlander Band. These founding fathers were:

Mr. Bob Longstreet,  St. Petersburg Independent Newspaper.
Mr. Dick Danford,   Principal of Dunedin Junior High School.
Mr. Bill Allen,   Bandmaster of Dunedin Junior High School.
Mr. Cliff Burris,   President of the Band Boosters Association.
 

The owner of the Independent, Lord Thompson of Scotland, donated the first set of bagpipes for the band. The Band Booster Association raised funds for the second set. An experienced military piper, Mr. Matt Forsythe, came forward to help condition the pipes. He also became the first instructor for the pipers and thus, the Highlander Band was formed.

  Mr. Bill Allen laid the foundation for the Scottish heritage of the band and was an inspiration to his students. One of those student's was so inspired by Mr. Allen that she later became the second and current director of the Highlander Bands, Mrs. Mary Jo Blair. Mr. Allen remains involved with the bands by writing many of the arrangements the bands now play.  An award was established in his honor in 2000 named the Mr. Allen Award for musical excellence and is given to the Highlander Band student most recognized for their musical ability.

Mrs. Mary Jo Blair earned her Bachelor Degree in Music Education at the University of South Florida and became the band director in 1988. Under Mrs. Blair's leadership the band consistently wins top honors at Highland Games competitions and has toured many parts of the United States including New York City and Washington, DC. Mrs. Blair has been recognized in the "Who's Who of American Educators" and twice been honored as the Teacher of the Year at Dunedin Middle School. She remains the band director today and the inspiration of many young people as Mr. Allen was and is to her. What makes Mrs. Blair most proud is when one of her student's becomes a teacher. One of those students now serves as the chairperson of the Production Committee on the current Board of Directors and volunteers as a teacher and mentor to several students in the current band.

Mr. Sandy Keith started his piping at the age of 11 at the College of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland. He immigrated to Canada with his parents when he was 17. After having joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, he became the Pipe Major of the Erskine Pipe Band. He led them through the ranks of grade 3 to grade 1. Today he serves as the Pipe Major for the City of Dunedin Pipe Band (Grade 2) and instructs the Elliot Pipe Band (Grade 4), Dunedin High School Pipe Bands (Grade 4 & 5), and the Dunedin Highland Middle School Pipe Band (Grade 5). All these pipe bands are in the small town of Dunedin, FL. Mr. Keith has compiled a book called "The Florida Collection" of Bagpipe Music, much of which is his own compositions over the last 25 years.

We also pay tribute to "Mr. B", whose real name is Mr. Benjamin Losonczy. Mr. B volunteered with the band for 5 years. He directed the band as an assistance to Mrs. Blair. He provided individual instruction to students, tuned the band for concerts, mentored young people, and lived his dream in the band room at Dunedin Highland Middle School. He was loved by all and an inspiration to everyone who knew him. He was honored as the State of Florida Volunteer of the Year for Seniors in 1999. Mr. B passed away in May of 2000 and is truly missed. The "Mr. B Award for Outstanding Citizenship" was established in his honor and is given to the Highlander Band student who most exemplifies good citizenship and respect for others. We love you Mr. B.