Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Pipe Band – established in 2013.
Pipe Bands in Scotland: A Soundtrack to the Nation
Few sounds are as stirring or emblematic of Scotland as the pipes’ skirl and drums beat. Pipe bands have long been part of Scottish culture, accompanying everything from military parades and civic celebrations to Highland Games and international competitions. These bands are more than musical ensembles – powerful expressions of identity, tradition, and community spirit.
A Brief History of Pipe Bands
The origins of the Scottish pipe band lie in military history. During the 18th and 19th centuries, regimental pipers led troops into battle and boosted morale. Over time, civilian pipe bands began to form across towns and villages, often tied to local industries, clans, or community groups.
By the early 20th century, pipe bands had become fixtures of Scottish public life. Today, they range from small community groups to world-class competitive ensembles, with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow drawing global attention.
List of Scottish Pipe Bands
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray
- Ballater & District Pipe Band – Ballater Info
- Bucksburn and District – Aberdeen – Established 1947.
- Buckie and District Pipe Band – Founded in 1988.
- Elgin & District Pipe Band – Formed in 1975. RSPBA European Pipe Band Champions – Grade 4B 2013
- Grampian Police Scotland Pipe Band
- Huntly and District Pipe Band – Formed in 1948 by Gordon Highlanders returning home from service in WWII.
- Inverurie
- Kintore
- Stonehaven Pipe Band
- Towie and District Pipe Band
Argyll and the Isles
- Machrihanish Dunes Sound of Kintyre Pipe Band – Based in Campbeltown, near the Mull of Kintyre
- Mid Argyll Pipe Band
- Mull and Iona Pipe Band
Arran and Ayrshire
- Ayr Pipe Band Society – Originally formed in 1910.
- Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band
- Kilmarnock Pipe Band – Formed in 1933.
- Maybole Pipe Band
Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Boghall & Bathgate
- Drambuie Kirkliston
- Glencorse – near Penicuik
- Linlithgow and District
- Newtongrange
- North Berwick Pipe Band – During July & August, North Berwick Pipe Band perform in the lodge grounds at 7.30pm every Wednesday.
- Penicuik & District
- Stockbridge Pipe Band – 2013 G3B European and Cowal Champions. 2013 G3B Champion of Champions.
- Torphichen & Bathgate
Glasgow and the Clyde Valley
- Glasgow Police Pipe Band
- Bothwell Castle Pipe Band
- Coalburn I.O.R Pipe Band – established in 1894
- East Kilbride Pipe Band
- Johnstone Pipe Band
- Lanark and District Pipe Band
- Milngavie Pipe Band – founded in 1966
- The House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band
- Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band
Fife Pipe Bands
- Dunfermline District & Scottish Transport Regiment Pipe Band
- Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band
- Fife Police Pipe Band
- Glenrothes & District Pipe Band
- Kelty & Blairadam Pipe Band
- Kirkcaldy and District Pipe Band
- Methil and District Pipe Band
- City of St Andrews Pipe Band
- West Fife Schools Pipe Band – are a public organisation and a charity, teaching school-age children from the West Fife area to play Great Highland Bag Pipes or Highland Drumming. They play local galas and events, and compete in RSPBA and local competitions.
Orkney
- Kirkwall City Pipe Band – Established 1919
Perth and Kinross
- Blairgowrie, Rattray & District Pipe Band
- Perth and District Pipe Band
- Comrie Pipe Band
- Kinross & District Pipe Band – Formed in 1946
- Pitlochry and Blair Atholl Pipe Band – Formed November 2004
- Vale of Atholl Pipe Band – Founded in 1906
Scottish Borders Pipe Bnads
- Coldstream
- Duns
- Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe Band – Founded in 1901.
- Hawick Pipe Band
- Kelso Pipe Band – Founded in 1981.
- Stow
The Highlands
Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire
- Camelon and District Pipe Band – Based in Falkirk.
- Clackmannanshire Pipe Band
- Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band – Established in 1977
Scottish Pipe Band Organisations
- The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association
- Dundee, Perth & Angus Branch – RSPBA
- Glasgow and West of Scotland – RSPBA
- Lothian and Borders Branch – RSPBA
- North of Scotland Branch – RSPBA
- Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust – SSPDT
Pipe Band Information
- The College of Piping – 16-24 Otago St., Glasgow G12 8JH
- Pipefest – The Home of Massed Band Events.
- Pipes|Drums – Piping publication.
- The Bagpipes go to the Movies – This website lists and comments upon many movies in which bagpipes appear.
- Drum Major – A website aimed at Drum Majors worldwide.
