The band was formed in August 1979 as the Garrett Highlanders, founded and organized by the late Hon. Fred A. Thayer and Charles P. “Chip” Evans. A class of eight students began the course of instruction at Garrett Community College, Oakland Center. The band’s first public performance was at the local ski resort’s Summerfest in July 1980. Officially adopted by the college in 1989, the band continued to be an affiliate program of the institution until 2007. The band, now known as the Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums, is proudly under the sponsorship of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department.

Among its many performances, the band led the dignitaries, both local and international, at the Whitewater World Championship opening ceremonies at Frostburg State University Stadium in June 1989, performed for the opening of Interstate 68 in Cumberland, MD, at Railfest, in 1992, and participated in the Scottish Christmas Walk in Alexandria, VA, in 1991 and 1992. On September 11, 2002, the band played for the dedication of the Flight #93 Memorial Chapel in Shanksville, PA. The band regularly maintains a busy yearly schedule of parades and concerts throughout the tri-state area. Each year the band plays a major role in the Autumn Glory celebration held in Garrett County and Oakland, the county seat. The band also has served as host band for the McHenry Highland Festival since the Festival’s inception in 1988.

The band is directed by Pipe Majors Gerald McGee and Paul Browning. To honor its late founder and long-time beloved Pipe Major, Fred Thayer, the band adopted the Colquhoun tartan as its official kilt pattern. Thayer’s mother was a descendant of the Colquhoun clan. The retired Pipe Sergeant Emeritus, the Reverend John Grant, is honored with the swatches of the Grant tartan worn on each member's bonnet. The band is led in parade by Drum Major Kenny Noland. Rich Ford is the band's Clan Chief. Dr. Ann Bristow currently serves as Pipe Sergeant, Rick Kutchman as Drum Sergeant, Mary-Alice Reesman as Pipe Corporal, Barbara Kutchman as Drum Corporal, and Ann Bristow and Kenny Braitman as Quartermasters. Jeanne Sisler serves as Scribe, Archivist and Assistant to the Clan Chief; and Barbara Kutchman as Bursar. Julia Aucremanne and Dolores Baker are the band’s Guidons (standard bearers).

Bascially a marching band in the Scottish military tradition, the GHP&D also serves as a teaching band. Instruction is offered in both piping and drumming. Interested persons may receive information regarding its teaching program by contacting the Pipe Sergeant at piperannie@gmail.com. The band, or individual members, are also available for hire for various private functions and civic events. .