About us
The Los Angeles Scottish Pipe Band was founded in 1961 by Pipe Major Jimmy Thompson, Pipe Sergeant Ian MacDonald and Drum Sergeant Charlie Capperauld. The band found success throughout the 1960s and 1970s, reaching today’s equivalent of Grade 1 and competing until 1974.
In the early 1990s, sons of founding members revived the “LA Scots” under Pipe Major Scott Ruscoe and Drum Sergeant Tom Foley. In 1992, Scott MacDonald took over as Pipe Major and the band again achieved competitive success, and reaffirmed itself as one of the most successful pipe band organizations in the United States. The band re-established itself in Grade 2, competing across the United States, Canada and Scotland, and earning the crowning achievement of winning Grade 2 at the World Pipe Band Championships in 1997 – the first time a band from the United States had taken this title.
Later that year, the LA Scots was upgraded to Grade 1 – one of only three bands competing at this grade in the United States at the time. Over the next two decades the band continued to compete at the highest level, traveling regularly to both domestic and international competitions, and the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland.
Today LA Scots competes in Grade 2 under the leadership of Pipe Major Scott MacDonald.
“As Grandstand Chairman and announcer at the Pleasanton Scottish Games for many years, I can not say enough about the Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band. They are always professional, timely and flexible and, of course, provide us true Grade 1 piping and drumming skills. When we do not have a Scottish Military Band appearing, it is the LA Scots that we trust to play with the US Marine Band.”
OUR HISTORY
Originally Formed in 1961.
Founding Members- P/M Jimmy Thompson, P/S Ian MacDonald and D/S Charlie Capperauld.
The original band was Grade A (now referred as "Grade 1") during its initial run until 1974.
The current LA Scots Pipe Band was revived in 1991 by combining two local bands. The Beach Cities Pipe Band and the Scottish Heritage Pipe Band. The leaders of this revived band were P/M Scott Ruscoe and D/S Tom Foley.
Scott MacDonald became P/M in 1992 (1992-2005), son of founding member P/M Ian MacDonald.
The band won the World Pipe Band Championships in Grade 2 in 1997, Glasgow Scotland. This was a first for a U.S. Band.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) upgraded the LA Scots Pipe Band to Grade 1 in 1998.
LA Scots have placed as high as 11th on three occasions in Grade 1 since 1998.
The Grade 1 band has traveled to Scotland over 20 times to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships since 1993.
The Band is now under the direction of P/M Colin Armstrong (2005-Current).
The LA Scots Pipe Band organization is now home to 3 competitive bands - Grade 1 and Grade 4, comprised of over 50 Pipers and Drummers.
Band was Re-Graded in 2018 as a Grade 2 Band
Former Lead Drummers of LA Scots 1961-Present
Charlie Capperauld
Tom Andrews
Tom Foley
Joe Foley
Duncan Millar
Carl Lenny
Andrew Hoinacki
Andy Brubaker
Richard Baughman
Glenn Kvidahl
Bryce Parker
Molly Steuber
Pipe Majors of LA Scots 1961-Present
James Thompson
Ian MacDonald
Scott Ruscoe
Scott MacDonald
Colin Armstrong