Drew Harvie

1. How long have you been playing pipes and who taught you?
I had been to ceilidh in Elderslie many times as a young boy, and a piper called Bert Brennan always played at ceilidh and I decided I wanted to learn to play bagpipes. Bert taught me the basics on the chanter every month at the ceilidhs and then recommended I go to a pipe band to learn and suggested I go to Neilston to see ‘Big Iain MacDonald’. I joined Neilston & District Pipe Band in November 1998 and was taught by Iain MacDonald, Eddie McLaughlin, Allan Bateson and Russell Mechan.

2. Favourite tune(s) that the band plays?
During my time in the band there has been many good tunes played. A few of favourites are – Donald Maclean’s Fairwell to Oban, Freddie Mason’s March, The Duck, The Fairies, Rocking the Baby and Duncan Johnstone.

3. Favourite tune(s) that the band does not play?
Favourite tunes the band doesn’t play are Father John Macmillan Of Barra, Crossing the Minch and Kalabakan. 

4. Favourite trip or gig you’ve played with the band?
My favourite trip has got to be Japan 2009. We have been many times since then but the excitement and privilege of the first trip will always be my band highlight. Playing and seeing the culture, country and travel experience is such a great memory to have.

5. Most memorable pipe band moment?
Playing with the pipe band at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow will always be the most memorable as it was such a great venue on your home soil. Also my first trip abroad with the band to Amsterdam in 2004 as a young teenager gave me the bug for performing and travelling.

6. What is the funniest moment while being in the band? The funniest moment has got to be in Strakonice. When playing onto the stage, Cameron Mechan didn’t see the speaker in the middle of the stage due to playing the bass drum and did a ‘drum roll’ over the speaker but was very professional and jumped up and continued with the performance as if nothing happened!

7. What is your favourite thing about being in the band? The opportunity to travel to so many different countries to play and for the socialising with life long friends!