Drew Sinclair - Pipe Major

(Brief History of the Pipie)

Born and raised in Newtonmore,  Drew became interested in pipe bands at an early age after seeing such bands as Glasgow and Edinburgh City Police and Muirhead and Sons performing at the local Games.

Drew started to learn to play the pipes in 1973, when John McDougall took up the newly formed position of piping instructor to the schools in Badenoch.  John was a multi Gold medallist and one of the top solo players at that time.  Originally from Bucksburn he played with Bucksburn and District Pipe Band before joining the army.  He later played with Edinburgh City Police and the Invergordon Distillery Band in addition to his solo work.  

Drew received further tuition from Dr Kenneth A MacKay.  Dr Mackay originated from Alness and during the 1920's and 30's was a medical missionary in Peru.   A founder member of The College of Piping, where he attempted to establish a system of certification  for piping that would be acceptable worldwide.  This initially proved unsuccessful when the RSPBA opted to devise their own system. Ultimately with his persistence and the support of the Piobaireachd Society and Army School of Piping the Institute of Piping was established. 

In 1976 Drew joined the Grantown and District Pipe Band (which later became Strathspey RBL) he received further instruction and guidance under Pipe Major's Ian (Foregan) Fraser and John McIntosh. In 1983 joined Grampian Police and effectively stopped playing for 3 years. In 1986 he eventually  joined Grampian Police Pipe Band after some determined and relentless recruiting tactics from Mike Murray and the late Frank Milne.  He first played under Pipe Major Jim Christie and then Jim Taylor. In 1989 he was appointed Pipe Sergeant on the appointment of  Mike Murray as Pipe Major. In 1997 he was appointed to his present role as Pipe Major.