Nicky Martin - Piper

I started playing at the age of 9 when my dad decided to take me along to a pipe practice because he wanted to learn to play! He took me along to Portlethen Pipe Band under Pipe Major Tommy McHendry. I was the only beginner after my dad gave up (quitter!) and so I benefited from one to one tuition at the band. After 6 months I was playing pipes and progressing into the pipe corp.

When I was 12 I went on my first foreign trip to Germany. It was on such trips that my piping really developed what with the constant practice and I became more interested in piping. On a further trip to Germany I played solo at an event and appeared on a German TV advert, advertising a concert the band were piping at in Berlin. (My advert was followed by a nappy one!!!!).

I received further private tuition from Pipe Major Ken Robson and I decided to pursue a career in music and enrolled at Aberdeen University as a Music Student with Education Honours. I am currently in my final year. My tutor is Julie Brinklow who is a fellow piper within the band.