Graham Drummond has joined Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia as Pipe Sergeant. Drummond (27) has spent the previous decade with Field Marshal Montgomery (FMM).
Drummond, pictured right, joins friend and former FMM band member, Emmett Conway, in the leadership team at Shotts.
Conway, who last September succeeded Ryan Canning as Pipe Major of the Lanarkshire-based Grade 1 band, said: “I am thrilled and excited that Graham has decided to join the band. Graham comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience second to none. The band is in a really good place just now with a mixture of young and experienced talent among the ranks. We have quite a few new players showing interest in joining the Shotts family. It’s exciting! Graham will be joining me and Pipe Corporal Iain Crawford in managing and building the band, and plans are well in place for the 2020 season already.”
Drummond, who played several seasons with Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia before following in his uncle Scott Drummond’s footsteps and joining Field Marshal Montgomery, has won many majors and several World Championships. He said: “I am absolutely honoured and thrilled to be coming in as the Pipe Sergeant of Shotts & Dykehead. To be a part of a band steeped in illustrious history is an honour. I am excited to work alongside my great friend Emmett; it brings me lots of hope and excitement for the band moving forward. I would like to thank Pipe Major Richard Parkes for the opportunity to play in Field Marshal. I owe a lot to him. Now, my focus is to bring my knowledge and commitment to the table of Shotts. It’s very exciting to be working with such and young and dedicated bunch.”
Crawford, a World Champion with Shotts and former Pipe Major of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, temporarily filled the Pipe Sergeant role this season. Crawford said: “I have enjoyed working with Emmett to date and I am very excited to get stuck into my seventh season with Shotts. There is a real buzz within the band at the moment and it is great to be part of a group of such talented players and excellent people. I look forward to everything Graham will bring to the band and would like to welcome him to the team.”