From my the age of nine, bagpipes have been a massive part of my life. I’m originally from Kingussie in the Highlands, where I was initially taught the bagpipes by my school History teacher, David Taylor. With great encouragement (and selflessness!) from my parents and other family members I successfully competed in the bagpipe competitions at Highland Games all around Scotland and at pipe band competitions from a young age, as well as playing in traditional Scottish folk bands.

I moved to Edinburgh in 1996 to go to university, gaining a degree in Business and Information Technology. To be honest, I’m not too sure how I did this, given that studying and attending university often wasn’t “compatible” with the many piping related activities I had at the time, including a six month stay in in South Korea to promote Mackies Ice Cream! I’ve performed for many events all over Scotland and further afield such as Taiwan, Angola, China, Australia, New Zealand and throughout Europe.

I originally launched Scottish Bagpipers in 1998 when I was student. Sadly I didn’t keep it going after I took up a “sensible” job in IT (Boo!!). I was still doing a lot of piping though, employed by various music agencies and from word of mouth for weddings and events, and still playing at competitions with my pipe band.

It wasn’t until 2017 that I decided to re-launch Scottish Bagpipers. The decision was made after speaking with several of my bagpiper friends. Each of us had far too many stories of witnessing unmusical and poorly attired bagpipers playing at public engagements at great expense. Something had to be done, so I learnt how to build a website (the Yellow Pages isn’t a thing anymore… Who knew?!) and re-launched. My mission is very simple. I just want to provide highly competent and immaculately dressed bagpipers who love what they do, and do it well!

Since then I’ve had the great pleasure of playing for more people and all sorts of events than ever, and have become the bagpiper of choice for a number of venues and Wedding Coordinators in Edinburgh.

I played in the distinguished Vale of Atholl Pipe Band starting in the Novice band and progressing to the Grade 1 band. When living in New Zealand I played in the Grade 1 Manawatu Scottish Society Pipe Band, and gained several top 10 finishes in the finals of the Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championships. I now play in the Grade 1 Police Scotland Fife Pipe Band, who are at the very top end of the pipe band world.

The Badenoch Pipe Band, my local band, at Ruthven Barracks outside Kingussie around 1991. I’m on the far left, and my dad’s in the middle holding the white bass drum sticks! This was from back in the days when many bands still wore the Full Highland Dress…

Marching on to take 9th place in Grade 1 at the 2005 World Pipe Band Champioships with the Manwatu Scottish Society Pipe Band, all the way from New Zealand.