Pipe Major Ross Harvey Stands Down

Pipe Major Ross Harvey, a stalwart of the last 30 years of Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band, is today announcing that he is standing down as Pipe Major of the Grade 1 band.

Ross has taken this difficult decision in order to spend more time with his young family, and due to the demands of his job as Senior Piping Instructor at George Watsons College, with whom he won the 2024 World Pipe Band Championships in the Juvenile grade.

Ross said: “It has been the privilege of my life to lead the fine men and women of our band for the last 9 seasons, many of whom I have been lucky enough to mentor from the very beginning of their piping journey.

“I’ll be forever grateful for the support I’ve received from all the playing members, including Ross Walker, Gordon Brown, Kerr McQuillan, Alexander Scougall, Calum Watson, Grant Walker & David Burnside; Brian Gilda from our dedicated sponsor Peoples Ford, from our hard-working committee, and from my family, without whom I wouldn’t have been able to lead the band for such a significant period of time.

“I leave the band in the hands of the immeasurably talented Calum Watson. This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the band under Calum and Kerr’s leadership, in a position to be competitive at the top end of Grade 1 for the next decade, and of that, I am incredibly proud.” 

Ross’ proudest achievement with the band will undoubtedly be lifting the Jubilee Trophy & Banner at the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships, a moment that will live long in the memory for all members past and present.

 Long standing Pipe Sergeant Calum Watson will succeed him as Pipe Major effective immediately. On his appointment, Calum said:

“I’m sure I speak for the full band, past and present, when I thank Ross for his unwavering dedication over the past twenty-plus years. He was the Pipe Major to finally lead the band to lifting the World Championship title after 40 years in Grade 1 and nothing will be able to rival the jubilation felt by all of us in that moment.

“On a personal note, I’d like to thank Ross for the guidance he’s provided me since the beginning of my piping career. It has been a privilege to serve as his pipe sergeant for the last 7 years, and I’m immensely grateful for all the opportunities he’s given me.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to be taking over the band in its current position; the commitment and talent of the team is first rate which will greatly assist me in transitioning into the Pipe Major’s role heading into the 2025 season.”

Leading Drummer Kerr McQuillan said:

“I would like to thank Ross for the faith he showed in appointing me his Leading Drummer after Gordon Brown decided to retire at the end of 2022. It was clearly a huge challenge handed to me at a relatively young age, when compared to most of my peers in Grade One.

“However, Boghall has always enjoyed a reputation over many years for giving our youngsters exposure to the top of the pipe band tree and Ross Harvey has continued to carry that torch during his leadership.

“Between us, we’ve collectively created some of our most special memories as a band. We’ve worked extremely well together and formed a Worlds winning partnership within a short period of time. I wish Ross and his family all the very best for the future.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Calum as we move into the 2025 season. Calum and I have a very close bond and have worked closely both musically in the last few years and on the Cabar Fèidh concert last year. I have no doubt that this to be a seamless and transition of leadership.”

The band are extremely thankful for the years of dedication that Ross has given to the band and would like to wish him and his family all the very best.