Overview
RAF Cosford
RAF Halton

RAF Lossiemouth

RAF Waddington
502 (Ulster) Sqn RAuxAF
RAF Central Scotland

About

Lossiemouth’s current band formation is an amalgamation of two regional groups – one from Kinloss, another from Edzell – that individually, date back to 1947. The two merged in the 1990s and in 2012, when RAF Kinloss closed, the band reformulated itself as RAF Lossiemouth Pipes & Drums.

With 30 trophies to date for coming first place, Lossiemouth Pipes and Drums has a prestigious performance record. Comprising serving RAF personnel as well as local civilians, the band is proud to serve traditional highland events as well as parades, official functions, competitions, and charity events.

CONNECT WITH RAF LOSSIEMOUTH PIPES AND DRUMS

Key Dates

1947 A band was formed at RAF Kinloss comprised mainly of national servicemen, while at RAF Edzell another set of players came together from the pre-war band at RAF Montrose including the officer in charge, Flt Lt George Sutherland. At the same time, a new tartan was secured, called Ancient Sutherland.  

1957 The band from Edzell moved to Kinloss, who adopted the Ancient Sutherland tartan and wore it until Kinloss closed.

Mid-1990s Both Kinloss and the RAF Lossiemouth band merged after struggling. The new formation thrived, enjoying many years of success in competitions.  

1995 The band reached its competing peak winning 38 trophies, 30 of which were for first place.  They included the Grade 4 and Grade 3 Champions of the North of Scotland and the North of Scotland Champion of Champions in both piping and drumming. That same year, we were placed fourth in the British and second in the Scottish Championships.  During this period the band won the RAF Pipe Band Championships for an unprecedented nine years in succession. 


2001 The band was promoted to Grade 3b but is now back to Grade 4a at their request following posting and retirement of several key players.

2012 RAF Kinloss closed and the band moved again, becoming the RAF Lossiemouth Pipes and Drums.

2016 The band adopted the RAF tartan in line with the other RAF pipe bands.

The team

The band is composed of service and MoD personnel from RAF Lossiemouth as well as civilians from the local community. We attend the whole range of traditional highland events as well as parades, official functions, competitions, and charity events, as well as sending contingents to form part of the Massed RAF Pipes and Drums in tattoos around the world.  
For many years we’ve travelled to Guernsey in conjunction with 201 Squadron, who are affiliated to the island, having been stationed there during WW2. We are also proud to have raised more than £100,000 to date for the RAFA Battle of Britain Wings Appeal. 

Our current Pipe Major is Barry Ashby, who has been at the helm since 1990. The Drum Sergeant is currently Ieuan Johnson, who has been with us since 2021, and leading the Drum Corps since March 2023. 
 

Rehearsals & Joining the band

If you have a genuine desire to learn an instrument and a willingness to practise in your own time, we welcome hearing from you. We currently have members from age 16 upwards. Practice nights are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at Kinloss Barracks.

We can provide tuition on pipes and drums from scratch, and for established players, we provide support to help you improve your skills. 

Hiring the band

We take pride in taking a professional approach to all of our engagements. The band can and regularly take on every kind of event from a quiet solo engagement to international tattoos.

All things being aligned in terms of our members’ availability and the locality of the event, we are happy to hear from you and be hired to support your event. 

Contact Us

Barry Ashby

Pipe Major

RAF Lossiemouth Pipes & Drums

Phone: 013098676432
Mobile: 07760470504

Email: [email protected]