Band History

Origins

During the summer of 1994, Nick Guise, a Stockbridge resident and keen piper, attended a piping training course at Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College on Skye, under the direction of PM Andy Venters. While there, the idea to start a community pipe band as a local facility took shape.

On returning to Edinburgh, Nick obtained permission from Canon Clark (a piping enthusiast) to use St Vincent's Chapel on St Stephen Street as the band's practice premises. Nick made contact with Lindsay Davidson and invited him to join, alongside fellow learners from the College of Piping class at 29 East Fettes Ave, Edinburgh, EH4 1EG, run by Dugald MacNeil and Jennie Wheater. The band's four founder members were Nick Guise, Lindsay Davidson, Tom Grotrian and Richard Kean. Tom Black, a former lead drummer of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, joined shortly afterwards as Drumming Instructor.

Plans were made to formalise the band with a committee, and a constitution was drawn up and lodged in Stockbridge Library. Nick designed and produced the band logo, inspired by the stone bridge over the old ford at Kerr Street.

Lindsay Davidson was appointed the band's first Pipe Major and Instructor, responsible for musical direction, and Nick Guise took the role of Pipe Sergeant and Secretary. The band held its first performance at Stockbridge Parish Church on 12 December 1994.

The Intervening Years

In these early years the band undertook several notable overseas trips, performing in Florence on two occasions as well as in Ivrea, Italy.

Tom Black stepped down as Drumming Instructor around 1996, and Dr Melanie Fox took on the role of Leading Drummer, although Lindsay Davidson continued to arrange the drum scores and teach the drum corps behind the scenes. Lindsay Davidson left the band in 1998 to move to Poland, and David McKay succeeded him as Pipe Major. Following this, the band went through a period of activity without a permanent lead. The situation remained unresolved until the turn of the millennium.

Euan Whitmore Takes Over

In the Autumn of 2000, Euan Whitmore took over the band and began building it with a view to competing. Previously the band had no uniforms, so Lottery funding was sought and - combined with persistent fundraising, the band was kitted out in Stewart of Appin Muted Hunting kilts and associated uniform items in time for a trip to Treviso, Italy, in 2003.

Euan Whitmore remained the central figure in the band's leadership for well over two decades, also serving as Secretary in later years. He stepped down in 2024 after an extraordinary contribution to the band's growth and success.

The Competition Era Begins

The band entered a few minor competitions before beginning to compete at the major championships in 2006. Following a couple of years of hard work - and with assistance and tutoring from experienced external players - the band won the British, European, World and Cowal Championships in Grade 4B during 2008 and was promoted to Grade 4A.

In 2009, the band was again promoted from Grade 4A to Grade 3B, and at the beginning of 2010 formed a Grade 4B Development Band to nurture new talent and provide a pathway into competition piping - the first time Stockbridge had fielded two competing bands at once. Blair Milne, then Pipe Sergeant of the Grade 3B band, was asked to help form the new band and became its first Pipe Major, with Mr Milligan as his Pipe Sergeant, leading an excellent first year. Blair remained Pipe Major of the Grade 4B band until 2012, when he moved back to Aberdeen for work, though he continued to compete with the band on and off, long-distance, in the years that followed.

In 2011, the band won the Scottish Championships in Grade 3B. Then in 2013, after winning the European and Cowal Championships as well as the overall Champion of Champions award for Grade 3B, the band was promoted to Grade 3A. That same season also saw them win the British Championship in Grade 3B, making 2013 a remarkable clean sweep of major titles in the grade.

Grade 4 Leadership

This period saw several Pipe Majors lead the Grade 4 band. Blair Milne, the band's first Grade 4B Pipe Major, handed over leadership in 2012. Clare Miller served as Grade 4 Pipe Major before stepping back into a Grade 3 Pipe Sergeant role. Kate Spowart then took on the Grade 4 leadership, with Mark Love and Peter Mueller serving as Pipe Sergeants. Kate later departed for Australia.

Expansion and Further Growth

In 2019, the band formed its latest addition to the family (a new Grade 4B band) giving the organisation three competing bands across Grades 3A, 4A, and 4B.

Current Structure

Today, Stockbridge Pipe Band fields two competing bands (Grade 3B and Grade 4B) registered with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, alongside a Development band providing a structured entry point for musicians new to pipe band competition. Together, the three bands reflect the full journey from beginner to senior competitor within a single club.

The band draws its membership from across Edinburgh and the Lothians, welcoming both experienced players and those just starting out. Pipers and drummers at all levels are encouraged to get involved, and the band actively recruits to keep both competing bands strong.

Rehearsals take place twice a week (on Monday and Thursday evenings) with each band having its own dedicated time slot and venue. Full details are on the Our Bands page.

Personnel Summary