Congratulations to Lochgelly High School Pipe Band who has been nominated in Scottish Pipe Band of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2025. Vote now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 6th December in Aberdeen Music Hall. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Greig of Lochgelly High School Pipe Band the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Lochgelly High School Pipe Band has a proud history dating back to the school’s inception in 1987. The school have maintained a competitive pipe band within RSPBA competitions every year since the band’s formation, winning many major titles along the way.
The band is completely self funded, with ‘Friends of Lochgelly High School Pipe Band’ acting as a fundraising and steering group to ensure the pipe band is well equipped to grow and thrive.
The band has 3 groups:
Senior Band – competing in grade Novice A in 2025, promoted to Juvenile for 2026
Junior Band – competing in grade Novice B in 2025, promoted to Novice A for 2026
Development Group – transitioning beginners onto pipes and drums
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Our band shares links with the local pipe bands of the past. The school’s previous incarnation, Ballingry School, had a proud history and were linked with the grade 1 Dysart & Dundonald Pipe Band.
With the inception of the new school in Lochgelly in 1987, this was transferred root and branch to Lochgelly High School. We still today proudly wear Dysart/ Ballingry School’s Ancient Red MacPherson tartan.
Situated at the heart of Fife’s historical mining communities, piping and drumming continues to be a source of pride in our the local areas of Lochgelly, Benarty and Cardenden.
Any particular career highlights?
2022 – First season in Novice B as a new band post-covid, placing 6th at World Championships
2023 – U.K Champions grade Novice B, World Championship runners up, ‘Champion of Champions’ and promoted to Novice A
2024 – Runners up at UK and European Championships grade Novice A
2025 – UK and European Champions grade Novice A , runners up World Championships, ‘Champion of Champions’ and promoted to the Juvenile grade for the first time since 2004.
What are your plans for the future?
We currently have 2 very strong bands and a good beginner pathway into piping an drumming that has a proven track record.
We plan to increase capacity for snare drum tuition and we hope to make this as sustainable as possible, ensuring a conveyor belt of talent through the ranks and to achieve continued success of a long-term basis.
It is our aim one day to have the resources to field 3 x competitive bands at under 18 level in grades Novice B, Novice A and Juvenile.
Lochgelly High School Pipe Band Social Media
Website: https://www.lochgellyhighschool.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LochgellyHS/
Instagram:
YouTube:
TikTok:
The 2025 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 6th December 2025 in Aberdeen Music Hall! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here). Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night in the Granite City will also welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including beloved singer Hannah Rarity, UK folk legends The Poozies, trad pop band Mec Lir and BBC Radio scotland Young Traditional Musician and Scots Performer o the Year Ellie Beaton and many more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.