Meet the Pipe Majors of the Tattoo

Each of our Tattoo Performers has a story that led them to the Tattoo, and our Pipe Majors are no exception. They've travelled from opposite ends of the world, but they share one goal: to inspire musicians to follow their passions while helping produce one spectacular show on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.  

Alisdair Mclaren and Lynsey McNicholl, Pipe Majors, lead The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums. In this blog, they share their stories of the opportunities that have come from being Pipers - travelling to different countries, making new friendships, and sharing music and performance with people all over the world. 

Alisdair Mclaren – Tattoo Pipe Major (Australasia)

Can you tell us your piping story? Where did it all begin?  

I began as a young piper at Trinity College, Perth, and from there my career has been shaped by a strong determination and a genuine love for the music. Raised in Perth, I joined the Western Australia Police Pipe Band, helping secure major victories, including the 1998 Grade 2 World Championship and the 2001 Grade 1 American Championship.  

My path eventually led me to Scotland, where I joined the Field Marshal Montgomery (FMM) Pipe Band during one of its most successful periods. With FMM, I contributed to 38 major championships, five World Titles, and two Grand Slams, experiences that helped shape me as both a musician and a leader. I later served as Pipe Sergeant and briefly Pipe Major of the Glasgow Police Pipe Band, continuing to refine my craft within Scotland's rich piping tradition.  

I also devoted more than a decade to developing young musicians as Director of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. I produced 14 major concerts, toured internationally, and supported performances at notable venues, including Buckingham Palace for the Royal Family, helping many players take their first steps onto significant stages.  

When did you join the Tattoo?  

In 2017, I became Pipe Major of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums, a role that placed me within one of Scotland's most recognisable cultural institutions. Since then, I've led the band at Edinburgh Castle eight times and guided them through major performances around the world, sharing Scottish music with diverse audiences.  

What does your piping career look like outside of the Tattoo?  

Today, I'm Head of the Pipe Band and Piping Tuition at Presbyterian Ladies' College back home in Perth. It’s a job I love. It's not only purposeful, but also exciting to see the next generation of talent piping up to play in big events such as the Tattoo.

Lynsey McNicholl – Tattoo Pipe Major (United Kingdom)

How long have you been with the Tattoo? 

This year marks my sixth Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and it remains as exciting and rewarding as my very first. Every season brings new challenges, new friendships and the unique privilege of performing on one of the world's most iconic stages. 

For the past four years, I have had the privilege of serving as Pipe Major, leading exceptional musicians from around the world. It's a role that brings responsibility, but also immense pride. Watching individual performers come together as one band, with a shared passion for music and performance, is one of the most fulfilling aspects of the job. 

This year's show, A Call to Gather, felt particularly fitting. At its heart, the Tattoo is about bringing people together - musicians, performers and audiences from different nations and backgrounds, united by music, tradition and a shared experience beneath the lights of Edinburgh Castle. 

Is the show in August the only opportunity you have with us? 

Not at all. There are so many other opportunities outside of August with the Tattoo. 

I've had the honour of performing in Norway, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Japan, representing both the Tattoo and Scotland to audiences across the globe. 

Along the way, I've played at some world class venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York, Hampden Park, the Hydro, Murrayfield Stadium and Twickenham. 

For me, the Tattoo is about far more than the performances. It's about the people, the camaraderie, the stories that brought us here and the memories that stay with you long after the final salute. 

So, in the spirit of A Call to Gather, I'd encourage anyone who has ever thought about being part of the Tattoo to answer that call. Sign up for a future Tattoo, join the gathering and discover where the experience might take you. 

Sign up to the Tattoo Performer Community.