Granite City Pipes & Drums is a thriving and welcoming pipe band with around 30 pipers, drummers and learners of all ages and experience levels.
As a development band, we are committed to providing a supportive environment where members can learn, improve and enjoy the traditions of piping and drumming. Whether you are a complete beginner looking to learn a new skill, a former player wishing to return to the pipe band scene, or an experienced musician seeking a friendly and ambitious band, you will be made very welcome.
Our members benefit from tuition provided by experienced pipers and drummers with extensive competitive and performance backgrounds. Regular rehearsals, performances and competitions provide opportunities for players to develop their musical ability, build confidence and become part of a close-knit team.
The band performs throughout the year at competitions, community events, parades, concerts and private engagements across Scotland. Alongside our musical ambitions, we take great pride in fostering a friendly atmosphere where members can develop lasting friendships while promoting the rich traditions of Scottish piping and drumming.
If you are interested in learning the bagpipes, snare drum, tenor drum or bass drum, or would like to find out more about joining the band, please get in touch.
Whether you are picking up a practice chanter or drumsticks for the first time, or looking to develop your existing skills, our tutors are here to help.
They bring a wealth of piping and drumming experience gained through many years of playing and competing with bands across North East Scotland and further afield. Having performed at local, national and international events, they are passionate about sharing their knowledge and helping players of all ages and abilities develop their musical skills and capabilities.
All GCP&D tutors hold current PVG certification through Disclosure Scotland, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.
Pipe Major Hannah Mutch
Hannah began learning the practice chanter in Primary 5 under the tuition of Ian Dallas and progressed to the bagpipes in Primary 7. She is a founding member of Granite City Pipes & Drums and was appointed Pipe Major at the start of the 2023 season. Hannah has competed with Bucksburn & District Pipe Band (2010 – 2014).
Alongside her commitment to Granite City Pipes & Drums, she joined the Aberdeen University Officers’ Training Corps (AUOTC), which provided a number of prestigious performance opportunities. Through the AUOTC, she performed twice at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, played on Horse Guards Parade in London, appeared at BBC Sports Personality of the Year, performed at the Menin Gate in Belgium, and travelled to Australia to take part in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney—an experience she describes as particularly memorable. More recently, Hannah performed with the London Scottish Pipes & Drums at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London.
As Pipe Major, Hannah is passionate about encouraging and developing players of all abilities. She is committed to helping members reach their full potential while leading Granite City Pipes & Drums from strength to strength.
Pipe Sergeant Isla Riddoch
Drumming Tutor Scott Niven
Scott has been drumming since the age of 8 when he received drumming lessons from Roddy MacDonald at Bucksburn & District Pipe Band. He joined the Novice/Juvenile band in 1995, and by 1997 the band were crowned British, Cowal and World Champions, as well as the overall Champion of Champions for consistency throughout the year. Moving into the senior Grade 2 band for 1998, Scott has since played in Grade 1 or 2 ever since, winning numerous band, drumming and solo prizes and junior and adult levels, including the North of Scotland Solo Drumming Championships in 2009. In 2009 and 2010 Scott led the Grade 2 drum corps with a very young inexperienced group to 8th place in the European Championships before returning to teaching the juniors the following season. Scott passed the highest possible drumming exam available in 2009 gaining the Piping & Drumming Qualifications Board Level 4 award (SQA Accredited). In 2014 Scott joined internationally renowned Grade 1 World Champion Drum Corps Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band.
Piping Tutor Ian Dallas
Piping Tutor Mike Webster
Piping Tutor Chris Sibbald
Chris began learning the bagpipes in 2004 with Rubislaw Pipe Band after being inspired by a pipe band performance at Murrayfield Stadium during a rugby match. He later joined Bucksburn & District Novice Juvenile Pipe Band, where he competed from 2008 to 2012 under the tuition of Ian Dallas.
A founding member of Granite City Pipes & Drums, Chris helped establish the band in 2014 and served as Pipe Major from 2016 to 2018. Following this, he joined Portlethen & District Pipe Band, competing in Grade 3 before progressing to Grade 2 in 2019. During the 2019 season, the band achieved the distinction of becoming Grade 2 European Champions.
Throughout his piping career, Chris has enjoyed a variety of memorable performance opportunities. Highlights include touring Germany with the Scottish Music Parade in 2018 and 2019, performing for Navajo Native Americans in Monument Valley (USA), and taking part in BBC Radio 1’s Greg James Breakfast Show feature “Pass the Pasty”.
As a tutor with Granite City Pipes & Drums, Chris is passionate about developing the next generation of pipers and helping learners build confidence, musical ability and enjoyment through piping.