Meet New Zealand's Father Daughter drumming duo

Andrew (56) and Lauren (25), from Dunedin, New Zealand, have made the long journey to Edinburgh twice each to perform as part of the Massed Pipes and Drums. Despite previous visits, 2022 was the first year they performed together at our event.  

As a way for the family to feel more connected to their Scottish heritage Andrew - having grandparents from the West Lothian area of Scotland - encouraged Lauren to start Highland Dancing at just 4 years-old. Inspired by her sister who took up the bagpipes, Lauren then started to learn Highland Drumming when she was 8. Taking to the instrument like a duck to water, she soon started playing in competitions and events across the country. This led to her first visit to Scotland in 2014 to compete at the Pipe Band World Championship in Glasgow as a drummer for the Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band. 

Not long after Lauren started drumming, her father Andrew also found himself drawn into the world of Pipe Bands. His wife had started piping and her band needed a drum major, so he stepped in to help. An Intensive Care Paramedic by day, this gave him something to bond with his daughters over, and he spent many weekends traveling with his family to various piping and drumming competitions solidifying their father-daughter relationship. 

Andrew said: “My wife and I were shift workers and there was pretty much 50/50 sharing of care, so I was involved very closely in the girls dance practice and competitions. It was not easy getting them changed in a very female dominated environment being, usually, the only father. Though I became a dab hand at plaiting hair!” 

Amongst both Lauren and Andrew’s busy schedules, when the chance came to make the trip to Edinburgh together, it was the opportunity of a lifetime chance to make new memories. They spent their days off sightseeing, indoor climbing and eating at Edinburgh's local restaurants. Though, what was more special than their days off was getting to walk across the Drawbridge together for every Show.  

Lauren reflected: “Few things come close to the feeling of emerging from the darkness backstage into the blinding lights of the finale and making eye contact with a familiar face as you counter march in front of thousands of people.” 

Lauren will once again be joining us on the Castle Esplanade performing in the Tattoo Pipes and Drums, for our 2023 Show, Stories. You can get your tickets now to see Lauren and over 800 other performers this August.