I am Pipe Major Julie! I started playing in 1981 as a young child. As well as running my own business, I am also the Pipe Major of a successful PipeBand, Portlethen & District Pipe Band.

What motivates me to do my best?
I let people see my passion and want to inspire them to book “me” and my team, to specifically seek us out as the people they want to have because they know what I stand for and that they are in safe hands.
I love playing at weddings and meeting people and admittedly, I’m also a bit of a romantic. I love hearing about how couples met and their journey to the alter. I feel when I hear their story that I know which tunes will be just right for them that afternoon and create a great atmosphere.

I am committed to putting a lot of work and thought into my business. I ensure my uniform is top-notch, attend exhibitions and spend time building relationships and trust with venues and clients. This is my livelihood as well as my passion so my clients get my full commitment.
I ensure that all of my clients get consistent high-level service both prior to and on the day of the wedding, only providing trusted pipers and drummers from my team who are smartly dressed, are of a high standard, and are experienced event players.

I am also a motorhome enthusiast and I call my motorhome “Fred”. Fred is also my “Mobile Piper Unit” and serves me as a break-out space at remote locations or on longer bookings. I have been known to pack Fred up with my pipes, uniforms, and my bike on the back and go “on tour” piping and cycling for over a week at a time. The motorhome is well-equipped!
I hold qualifications in bagpiping to SCQF Level 6 and to my knowledge I am the only female Pipe Major in my grade with my band holding Grade 2 level and myself being the only female PM in that Grade. There are no Grade 1 female Pipe Majors globally.
In a male-dominated environment, I am very proud of what I have achieved with the band and professionally.
I also teach the Bagpipes and have private pupils as well as being a visiting tutor for bagpipes at the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordons College. The Band at RGC has grown to over 100 pipers, maybe one day some of these pipers may become part of my team.
I am also a Single Malt Whisky enthusiast and I have an extensive collection. I have 2 venues in aberdeen/shire where I have my own private whisky stock for an exclusive wee VIP dram for my wedding couples!