Dr Simon McKerrell
Simon McKerrell began the pipes at the age of eleven. He was taught initially by P/M Angus MacDonald, Kenny MacDonald, P/M Jimmy Pryde and Allan MacDonald, but for the last six years has been receiving tuition from Murray Henderson. Simon plays the Highland, Uilleann and Border bagpipes and is in regular demand as a session musician and recitalist. He is ‘Head of Piping Studies’ at the National Piping Centre for the BA (Scottish Music – Piping) degree.
Simon is a major prize-winner as well as the current President of the Competing Pipers Association (CPA). Notable wins include the Dunvegan Medal (2004), Skye Clasp (2005), 2nd Gold medal Oban (2005), 3rd in A-grade March, Strathspey and Reel at Inverness (2005), 1st A-grade Piobaireachd Inverary (2005), and the Peter McFarquar Star for Strathspey and Reel playing (Skye 2004).
Simon was awarded the PhD (Ethnomusicology) in 2005 for a thesis entitled: ‘Scottish competition bagpipe music: sound, mode and aesthetics’.
Finlay MacDonald BASM
Finlay started piping at the age of ten with tuition from his father, Pipe Major Iain MacDonald of the Neilston and District Pipe Band.
With Neilston Pipe Band he has travelled World Wide playing at concerts and festivals as far a field as Japan, China, Russia and all over Europe.
After 3 years studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Finlay was in the first class to graduate with a BA Scottish Music. Having specialised in performance and composing, he has been in demand as a performer and has toured with top Scottish Bands such as Def Shepherd, Battlefield Band, Old Blind Dogs and the Kate Rusby Band. Based in Glasgow, Finlay has been popular as a session musician recording on as many as 20 albums in many different musical generes including Jazz, Classical and Traditional.
His first solo album was released in 2000 to critical acclaim and after that formed the “Finlay MacDonald Band”. This band combines the idioms of Contemporary Piping with Jazz, Funck and Dance. The album “Pressed For Time” was released in 2003 and the band have been touring in Italy, France and Spain with great success.
Colin MacLellan
Colin MacLellan, a professional educator, has achieved much as both a bandsman and solo piper. Starting as Pipe Major of the 1986 Grade 4 Glengarry Pipe Band, he led the band to the 1996 Grade 2 North American and US Championships; the band was promoted to Grade 1 the following year. He was appointed Pipe Major of Edinburgh’s storied Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band in 1999, serving to 2004.
Colin won the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting in 1982, consecutive MacCrimmon Silver Chanters in 1990 and 1991, and the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering in 1992. He served as President of the Competing Pipers Association from 1999 – 2004, and is featured on Lismor Recordings’ “World’s Greatest Pipers” volume 11.
Lorne Cousin
Lorne is a prize winning solo competitor born and brought up in Campbeltown, Argyll. Lorne was taught by the late P/M Tony Wilson and was tutored latterly by the late Duncan Johnston and Tom Speirs.
Lorne has won all of the major junior piping competitions including both the Cowal Gathering Lamont Shield and National Mod Trophy a record three times and subsequently won prizes at Senior level at the Argyllshire Gathering, Northern Meetings, Scottish Pipers Association and National Mod.
Lorne played with Madonna’s band on the Worldwide Re-Invention Tour 2004 and has since performed around the world with various international artists. Lorne has recently returned from recording in Brazil.
