In 1978, at the age of 10, I began my career in piping.

 

Pipe Band:

 

By the age of fifteen, I joined the Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band where Pipe Major R.T Shepherd M.B.E assisted in my development in all diciplines of piping.

 

In 1996 I took the reins as Pipe Major of Dysart & Dundonald Pipe Band and in 2001 I made the move to Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band.

 

In my seven years at "Shotts" I won a number of Major Championships including:

 

Scottish Champions '01 & '02

British Champions '99, '00, '01, '04 & '05

European Champions '99

World Champions '00, '03, '05

Cowal Champions '03, '05

Champion of Champions '99, '00, '01, '05  

 

In 2007 I founded the Grade 1 Fife Constabulary Pipe Band and achieved top six prizes at major championships before relocating to Western Australia in 2012.

 

Solo Piping:

 

I began my piping career at the Boys Brigade Pipe Band in Cupar, Fife, learning basic rudiments and my first tune. I also received coaching from my father and local pipe majors of the day.

 

My teenage years were spent receiving solid tuition from James Penman, John Cushnie and Bert Barron B.E.M, grounding me in Ceol Mohr and Ceol Beag music.

 

During my career, I have had the pleasure of receiving tuition from:

 

'81 - '86   Bert Barron B.E.M of the O.T.C British Army

'84 - '87   R.T Shepherd M.B.E (World Champion Pipe Major)

'90 - '09   Donald McPherson M.B.E (Clasp Medal Winner & Gold Medallist)

'10 - '13   Hugh McCallum (Glenfiddich Champion)

 

Some of my solo piping accomplishments are:

 

'84 Junior Scottish Championships Overall Winner

'92 Argyllshire Silver Medal (2nd place)

'97 Argyllshire Gold Medal (1st place)

'99 Northern Meeting Former Winners Silver Star 

'99 Donald McDonald Quaich

'03 Bratach Gorm (2nd place)

'04 London Medallion

'07 Aryllshire Gathering Former Winners Silver Star (2nd place)

'09 Donald McDonald Quaich

'09 Aryllshire Gathering Former Winners Silver Star

'09 Glenfiddich Championship (5th place)

'14 London Medallion (3rd Place)

 

As  a solo player my accomplishments have been obtained through quality tone from the bagpipe and maintaining a sound that wins prizes.