Alex Simpson - Piper

At the age of 8, I began chanter lessons with Turriff and District Pipe Band under the tuition of George Hepburn and remained with them until I was 16.

During 1976 - 1986 other activities meant that the bagpipes had to take a back seat however, in 1986 I joined Grampian Police and in 1989 joined Grampian Police Pipe Band. I was lucky enough to be part of the group that, under Pipe Major Mike Murray, played through the Band's most successful period, rising from Grade 3 to Grade 1 in 4 years and winning the 1991 Grade 3 World Championships on the way to name but one.

In 1996 I was appointed Pipe Sergeant at the same time as the existing Pipe Major, Drew Sinclair took on his role and held the position until 2007 when the current Pipe Sergeant, Colin Walker took over.