Coalburn I.O.R. Pipe Band is based in Coalburn, South Lanarkshire, and was established in 1894, making it one of Scotland’s oldest civilian pipe bands. Its origins are tied to the coalmining community: during the long miners’ strike of summer 1894, a group of young men began learning on pipe chanters, with D. K. Finlay becoming a key figure in forming the band.

The “I.O.R.” name refers to the Independent Order of Rechabites, a temperance-friendly society linked to many working-class communities of the period. Early references to the band as the Coalburn Rechabite Pipe Band underline those roots.

Today, Coalburn I.O.R. remains active as a competition and teaching band, representing the Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch of the RSPBA. The band is based at Victoria Hall in Coalburn and attracts players from across Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Stirling, West Lothian and Falkirk. Its own site currently lists the band in Grade 3A, while recent public competition footage also shows it competing at major championship level.