DAY 1 – Welcome to the SSPDT’s Celebration of Women and Girls in Piping and Drumming! Throughout this week, we’ll be sharing inspiring interviews and videos featuring women in piping and drumming, Day in the Life stories from our female learners across the Highlands and Islands, and insights from tutors on how to keep women and girls engaged and inspired in their musical journeys. Today, we’re excited to share the piping story and experiences of Grace Jamieson from Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band. Grace was one of three young women chosen to play the role of ‘Ri Teachd’, representing the future of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Over four weeks, she performed in front of more than 200,000 people from around the world — an incredible experience for any young piper. We spoke to Grace about how she first got into piping and the challenges she faced in this remarkable role. #remt #royaledinburghmilitarytattoo #sspdt #plhspipeband
DAY 2 – Welcome to Day 2 of the SSPDT’s Celebration of Women and Girls in Piping and Drumming!
Today, we’re delighted to feature a “Day in the Life” video from Grade 1 piper Eilidh MacDonald. Originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, Eilidh was introduced to piping and drumming by her parents and has been immersed in the tradition ever since.
In 2021, she made the move to Scotland, where she has played in Grade 1 with Scottish Power and now performs with the 16-time World Champions, Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia. Beyond her musical achievements, Eilidh holds a PhD in Cardiovascular Physiology and Biophysics and currently works at the University of Glasgow.
Eilidh exemplifies how passion, education, and career can harmoniously coexist throughout her career and in piping. We’re grateful to her for sharing a glimpse into her life and for inspiring women and girls everywhere to pursue their goals—both on and off the competition field. #nationalpipingcentre#npc#universityofglasgow#sspdt#shottsanddykeheadcaledonia
DAY 3 – Welcome to Day 3 of the SSPDT’s Celebration of Women and Girls in Piping and Drumming!
Today, we’re joined by Finlay MacDonald, Director of the National Piping Centre, and Tam Barnes, Drumming Instructor with the Isle of Arran Music School Pipe Band and owner of Tam Barnes Drumming.
In this session, we’ll be exploring how male tutors can play a vital role in encouraging more women and girls to take up piping and drumming, and the practical steps we can take to ensure these traditions remain inclusive and accessible for everyone.
#sspdt#nationalpipingcentre#npc#isleofarranmusicschool
DAY 4 – Welcome to Day 4 of the SSPDT’s Celebration of Women and Girls in Piping and Drumming!
Today, we’re thrilled to share insights from some of the talented young members of the Lewis and Harris Youth Pipe Band, offering a glimpse into what life is like as pipers and drummers growing up on the Islands.
We follow Lucy from Lewis as she prepares to compete in the World Solo Drumming Championships, showing the extra dedication and effort required to take part from a remote island community. A huge thank you to everyone involved for giving us a window into what it means to be young women learning and thriving in the world of traditional music on the islands! #sspdt#creativescotland#lewisandharris#lewisandharrisyouthpipeband
DAY 5 – Welcome to Day 5 of the SSPDT’s Celebration of Women and Girls in Piping and Drumming!
Today, we’re delighted to be joined by three ambassadors from the Maket Collective — Hazel Whyte, Mackenzie Forrest, and Sarah Staub. Founded in 2024, the Maket Collective aims to promote and amplify the voices and talents of influential female musicians within the piping and drumming community.
Beyond their ambassador roles, all three women bring a wealth of experience as piping and drumming tutors and are active members of Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia and the Royal Burgh of Annan Pipe Band.
We’re excited to share their perspectives and to learn more about what the Maket Collective represents to them — and to women in traditional music today. #maketcollective#nationalpipingcentre#npc#sspdt#womeninpipebands#shottsanddykeheadcaledonia#royalburghofannan
DAY 6 – Welcome to Day 6 of the SSPDT’s Celebration of Women and Girls in Piping and Drumming. Today’s video provides insight into the lives of two young girls from the Isle of Arran. Piping, drumming, horse riding and travelling are just a small part of their busy but fulfilling lives on the Island. Thank you so much for sharing an idea of what you get up to and the joy of being in a Pipe Band! #sspdt #isleofarran #isleofarranmusicschool
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1126393706231719
DAY 6 (part 2) – Welcome to Day 6 of the SSPDT’s Celebration of Women and Girls in Piping and Drumming – part 2!
We’d like to thank Katie for filming a large variety of what she has been up to as a member of the Lewis and Harris Youth Pipe Band. In this collage, we see her on her way to band practice, lessons, and performances showing exactly the level of commitment needed to be a young person in a pipe band. Thank you Katie for showing us an insight into your life as a piper! #sspdt#youngpipers#piping#lewisandharrisyouthpipeband
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1173237974279264
DAY 7 – Welcome to Day 7 of the SSPDT’s Celebration of Women and Girls in Piping and Drumming!
Today, we’re thrilled to collaborate with Anna Smart, a talented piper who has been making waves both on stage and online. Anna began learning the pipes at just six years old and competed in her first World Pipe Band Championships at the age of nine.
Originally from Scotland, Anna spent several years performing with various bands in New Zealand before joining the world-renowned Simon Fraser University Pipe Band at just sixteen. She has since built a remarkable presence on social media, sharing “Day in the Life” videos on TikTok that showcase her work as a professional performer and bagpiper.
Anna has generously given us a glimpse into one of her busier days — balancing teaching, performing, and inspiring others through her passion for piping. She continues to be a role model for young players and women around the world, proving there are no limits to what can be achieved through dedication and love for music.
I’d like to say a huge well done to our very own Morven Walker who put all of this together through the SSPDT. Well done done Morven.