Members

At the age of eight Robert began to learn the chanter under the expertise of James Allan (Curly), a former Gordon Highlander and first class bagpipe tutor. This tuition continued until Robert was 16, by which time he was a member of the local Buchan Pipe Band in Peterhead. The Band at the time was under the leadership of Pipe Major George Thom with Robert's dad, Allie (a founder band member) as Drum Major and Band secretary. Mainly a street band, Buchan performed at local fetes and galas throughout the North East of Scotland.

Robert became Pipe Sergeant in 1981, then Pipe Major in 1985 and through successful competing at RSPBA competitions and solos, steadily moved the band up from Grade 4.The highlight of his piping career to date was the winning of seven consecutive Grade Two RSPBA Major Championships in 1995/96 which led to the Buchan Pipe Band being promoted to the RSPBA Grade One.

Robert has devoted a considerable amount of his time in the past 30 years to teaching and coaching new players and starting young learners on the route to success as Pipers. This dedication was the prime reason for the development of a junior Buchan Pipe Band to encourage learners and to also act as a feeder Band for the senior Pipe Band. This development programme, utilizing the Grade 4 Band, has resulted in a considerable number of members progressing along that route and has led to the Band successes in Grade 2.