Lothian & Borders Police appoint new captain: Neil Hall

The two-year commitment as Pipe-Major of the Grade 1 Lothian & orders Police Pipe Band has come to an official end for Ian Duncan, who formally handed over the reins to Pipe-Sergeant Neil Hall at the band’s annual general meeting on October 20th. Duncan will remain with the band.

The move was clearly communicated to the members of the band and the band’s management committee when Duncan took over the post in October 2009, following a period of frequent leadership changes, and Hall had been prepared for the role over that time.

“Neil Hall has been a revelation and is ready and up for the job,” Duncan said.

Duncan added that he and Hall will continue to work as a team, along with Musical Director Stuart Cassells, the well known solo piper who does not actively play with the band.

Hall had led the band in competition several times during the 2011 season in which the group frequently climbed several spots in finishes at RSPBA championships over 2010.

Lothian & Borders Police have had no fewer than eight changes in leadership in the last 12 years at both pipe-major and leading-drummer positions. The band’s drum section continues to be run by L-D JakeJorgensen who took over from long-time L-D Arthur Cook after the 2010 season. Cook subsequently joined the Grade 2 Denny & Dunipace Pipe Band as leading-drummer.

Hall is a captain in the British army and is second in command with the Army School of Piping & Highland Drumming.  Ian Duncan is one of the most successful pipe-majors in pipe band history, leading other top grade bands like Vale of Atholl and the now defunct Drambuie-Kirkliston since the 1970s.