Andrew Macleod was born in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. He started learning the chanter in 1986, and was taught by Pipe Major Iain M Morrison a winner of the Gold medal and
The Clasp at the prestigious Northern Meetings competition. The tradition of piping on the Island goes back many years and one of the Islands most famous Pipers is the well known Pipe Major Donald Macleod MBE who also was a winner of the Gold medal and The Clasp an amazing 8 times. PM Donald Macleod wrote many famous tunes and it is PM Donald Macleod's music that has influenced his piping repertoire the most. PM Iain M Morrison served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders and PM Donald Macleod with the Seaforth Highlanders. Andrew's ambition was to follow in their footsteps and play the Bagpipes in the world renowned Scottish Regiments.
Andrew enlisted into the Army at the age of 19 and joined the 1st Battalion The Highlanders(Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) (now 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland) and became part of the Pipes and Drums, who also acted as the Battalion’s Machine Gun Platoon and later the Assault Pioneer Platoon. On achieving this he was extremely proud to become part of a Pipe Band which has had many famous names grace its ranks such as PM Alasdair Gillies, PM Jim Stout who became the Sovereign’s Piper, and PM Stuart Samson who became the Director of Army Bagpipe Music.
Under the close scrutiny of PM Stout and Pipe Cpl Donald Mackay(now Pipe Major, Strathclyde Police Pipe Band), Andrew began his Army piping career, also attending piping courses held at the Army School of Bagpiping and Drumming in Edinburgh under the instruction of Major Gavin Stoddart MBE BEM and Pipe Major Bruce Hitchins BEM.
During his Army career, Andrew travelled all over the world with the Pipes and Drums. Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Pakistan and Canada to name a few. Andrew also performed at high profile events such as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and inside the walls of Buckingham Palace for Her Majesty The Queen and her guests at State Banquets. He has also competed in solo competitions, and with the band at major Pipe Band Competitions where the band always played to a high standard.
After leaving the Army in 2001, Andrew moved back to the Isle of Lewis to work as a Firefighter. He joined the Lewis Pipe Band where he became Pipe Sergeant. During his first year with the band Andrew played at a number of local events and was part of a group which represented the Western Isles during a visit to Sweden to promote the tourism in the Islands. In 2002 Andrew was asked to Pipe for HM The Queen during her visit to the Isle of Lewis on her Golden Jubilee tour of the United Kingdom. That same year also saw Andrew become the Pipe Major of the Lewis Pipe Band, a position he was very proud to hold because of the vast history of the band.
In 2004 Andrew left Stornoway for Glasgow to work as a Firefighter with Strathclyde Fire & Rescue. He became a member of the Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Pipe Band under the command of Pipe Major Robert Shaw. The band are mainly a competing band but carry out various band jobs throughout Scotland and abroad. In 2004 the SFRPB were competing in Grade 3 and after a successful season in 2005 were promoted to Grade 2 where they still play. In 2006 Andrew was asked to play for Billionaire Donald Trump at Dyce Airport in Aberdeen when he arrived to promote his Golf venture at the Menie Estate.
Andrew is more than happy to give advice on the role of a Bagpiper at any function.
Please contact Andrew with any question you may have.
Thank you for visiting the website.
Privacy Policy