Officials

President - William Skinner

Bill has had a long association with "The Branch" through his connection with the Aberdeen Battalion Boys Brigade Pipe Band and Bucksburn & District Pipe Band Aberdeen, he was recognised for many years as being our Senior Drum Major. As an active Branch member too, he served as Vice Chairman before assuming the role of President.

Noteworthy individual achievements on the competition field include numerous Branch Championships and top placings at all the Major events. Bill brought great acclaim to the North of Scotland Branch through twice winning The World Drum Major Championship in 1960 and again in 1978. One of his proudest moments was however leading a Branch Massed Band which filled the width of Union Street 15 years ago to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the RSPBA – a great City spectacle.

Chairman - Bill Barclay

Bill has been a prominent figure amongst North-East Pipe Bands for many years as a leading Drum Major, both in the competition scene and on the Highland Games circuit. Although retired from competing and judging, he is still active at the Games and always a favourite at gettin the Mace O'er the Bar.

Bill took the reigns of the Branch in 2006.

bill.barclay@rspba-nos.org

Vice Chairman - Graham Gauld

Graham's formative years were spent with The Huntly & Distrct Pipe Band before employment took him to Aberdeen in 1973 and the start of a long association with Bucksburn & District Pipe Band, Aberdeen where he continues today as Bass Drummer. Elected as NoS Branch Vice Chairman in 1989 having previously served as a committee member.

graham.gauld@rspba-nos.org

Treasurer - Fiona Fotheringham

Fiona began her piping career with the Stonehaven Pipe Band in 1988. After a year out with Deeside Ladies Pipe Band in the N/J Grade she joined the newly-formed Stonehaven Grade 4 band, created to develop young pipers and drummers who were being taught there at the time.
After many successful years in various grades with Stonehaven, Fiona took a 5 year sabbatical from band playing while training as an accountant.
In September 2004 she joined the Buchan Band in Grade 2 and has enjoyed the seasons with several prizes at major contests and many more at locals.
In addition to piping, Fiona sings with the folk group “Plaid” at various events in the North East of Scotland.

fiona.fotheringham@rspba-nos.org

Secretary - Linda Niven

Linda has been involved with Bucksburn Pipe Band since 1992 when her children Scott and Nicole started learning Pipes and Drums. After having been involved with running the band for many years, she was persuaded to take on the Secretary's role in 2006.

linda.niven@rspba-nos.org

Asst / Minute Secretary - Sandra Fraser

Sandra is a piper with Deeside Caledonia Pipe Band, where her husband David is Pipe Major.

She joined the Management Team in 2007 when Heather took up the Music Board post.

sandra.fraser@rspba-nos.org

National Council - Florence Allan

My association with pipe bands began almost 30 years ago when my daughter Heather was a piper with the famous Deeside Ladies Pipe Band and my son Hamish, a drummer with the 47th Culter Boys’ Brigade Pipe Band. I was appointed secretary of Deeside Ladies and was involved in the Branch becoming a committee member and appointed as a National Council member in 1991. I am now a registered member of Deeside Caledonia Pipe Band and I was appointed Branch Secretary in 2003.

At present I am Convenor of the Standing Orders and Steering Committee of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association. As a member of the National Council I attend various meetings throughout the year and Major and Local contests, ensuring that contests are carried out according to the Constitution and Rules.

florence.allan@rspba-nos.org

National Council - Robert Niven

Bob was accepted into the National Council in December 2005. His interest in Pipe Bands stems from both his daughter (piper) and son (snare drummer) playing for Bucksburn & District.
A long time handyman to the band, Bob also helped steward at local contests for a number of years prior to taking on the National Council role on Allie Skinner's retirement in 2005.

bob.niven@rspba-nos.org

Music Board - Heather MacKay

I began my piping career at the age of 8. My tutors were the late Sandy Robertson, Jim Campbell, Stuart Reid and George Cowie, all with the 47th Culter coy Boys Brigade. At that time no girls were allowed to play in Boys Brigade Bands so I joined Deeside Ladies, led then by Pipe Major Lillian Nicolson. In 1986, the band now led by Pipe Major Fiona Cruickshank, won all  5 Major Championships and Champions of Champions in Grade 3. I then played with Culter & District for 6 years before joining Buchan Pipe Band in 1994. Led by Pipe Major Robert Skinner, I was part of the band which won all 5 Majors Championships and Grade 2 Champions of Champions in 1996 in Grade 2. As a youngster I also competed in local solo piping contests, receiving tuition from the late Donald Morrison and Willie Easton, formerly of Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band.

heather.mackay@rspba-nos.org

Music Board - Ranald Cameron

Info to be posted soon.

ranald.cameron@rspba-nos.org

Mr A. Lynn

Mr J. Cruickshank