I started learning in Caol primary school being taught by P/Major Evan MacRae, former PM of Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, before progressing to Lochaber Schools Pipe Band. I continued with this band for 6 years until leaving school in 1984 and joining the Royal Navy. After being asked to play at a friend’s wedding in 1991, my wife bought me a set of pipes and after two weeks of panic practice on them, I successfully carried it out and have been playing since, sea time permitted.
Having travelled extensively with the Navy, I have been lucky enough to play in many places including Shanghai, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kenya and various European countries. Also playing with the RN Pipe Band association, I regularly attend the Cologne Carnival and was lucky to be chosen as their representative, playing at the naming of the new carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2014.
Massed band events include a world record in Edinburgh, playing ‘Flower of Scotland’ at Murrayfield before Scotland V South Africa (Scotland won) and 3 American Tartan day parades in New York.
Having played with all 3 bands in Cornwall on and off since 2001 and guesting with the Rose & Thistle band in Portsmouth, I returned to the Kernow band in 2018, after another 3 year break. Since then I have had a great time playing at various events with highlights being 100th Remembrance Day and 75th Arnhem Anniversaries and being asked to play the solo lament at one of the Menin Gate Last Post ceremonies.
