Torphichen appoints P-M; searching for P-M

The Grade 2 Torphichen & Bathgate of West Lothian, Scotland, has made a leadership change with the season already underway, William Brown stepped down as pipe-major and seven-year pipe-sergeant Iain MacPhee has moved into the role.

No specific reason was given for Brown’s departure, but a statement from the band said, “Whilst it was disappointing to lose William as pipe-major, the members of the band fully support his decision and our thanks and best wishes go with him.”

Malcolm Brown-Scott and Gillian Chalmers have been made co-pipe-sergeants.

The band also appointed Lorna Heggie as leading-drummer earlier in the year, taking over from Callum Firth, who had announced his intention to step down due to “personal reasons.” Heggie has played with the band since 2008, and Firth remains with the band.

MacPhee will stay in the P-M role until only the World Championships, leaving to focus on his new family. Torphichen & Bathgate is already searching for his replacement and invites interested candidates to get in touch with the group if they are not already with the band.

The band said that if a suitable candidate comes forward who is not competing with a band, then they would consider moving him/her into the group to expedite the process.

Torphichen & Bathgate placed fifteenth in the 18-band Grade 2 competition at the British Championships in Paisley, Scotland, on May 21st. The band has risen to Grade 1 several times in its long history, most recently under Pipe-Major Gordon Stafford in the mid-2000s, and then the late-2000s under Pipe-Major Stuart Shedden, who resigned in 2014.

Founded in 1902, Torphichen & Bathgate is one of the oldest continually running civilian bands in the world.