Kenny Walker

1. How long have you been playing the drums and who taught you?
I have been playing on and off for over 25 years but I have been back in the band consistently since 2006. I started learning the drums aged about 5 or 6 and was originally taught privately by my cousin Colin Walker. I then started going to band practice to be taught by drum sergeant, and uncle, Robert Walker. I took some time away from playing but when I came back I was taught by my cousin Stephen Walker and have been playing ever since.

2. Favourite tune(s) that the band plays?
My favourite set of tunes that we play is probably the Pumpkin’s Fancy and Troy’s Wedding. I pushed myself to come up with a beating for these and I think it goes really well with a couple of great tunes.

3. Favourite tune(s) that the band does not play?
My all time favourite tune is a slow air called Cowden Hall, written by my cousin Finlay MacDonald. Another of my favourites is the strathspey Cameronian Rant. It’s not quite a tune but I love Alex Duthart’s drum fanfare called Salute to Max Rayne.

4. Favourite trip or gig you’ve played with the band?
My favourite gig that I’ve played was in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh with the RSNO. We had the orchestra in front of us and the choir behind us and the sound of everyone playing/singing together was just incredible. My favourite trip I have been on is to Hakuba, Japan. I loved playing there and loved how appreciative the crowd was.

5. Most memorable pipe band moment?
My most memorable moment was probably playing with Taiko Drummers in Japan. We were out there playing at a festival and we had the bright idea of the drummers playing along with them. We didn’t have long to try and learn what they were playing. It was an excellent experience.

6. What is the funniest moment while being in the band? The funniest moment in the band was probably the first time I went to Japan. From where the festival was back to Tokyo was a 6 hour drive so the first port of call as soon as we put our suitcases in the rooms was to go for dinner and then buy some alcohol from the off-license about 100m from where we were staying. Somehow Iain MacDonald fell behind everyone and didn’t see which way we went out the off-license (he is notorious for having a poor sense of direction). He proceeded to walk the wrong way, got lost in the biggest city in the world and then try to get a taxi back to where we were staying. Iain got the taxi to drive about the local area so that Iain could try and recognise where we were staying…he didn’t. The taxi dropped him off at the nearest hotel for Iain to get a room (which he almost didn’t get because he didn’t have his passport on him). Iain made it back safely the next morning after only a few hours sleep and explained that the hotel that he stayed in was 100m in the opposite direction of where we were staying from the off-license.

7. What is your favourite thing about being in the band? My favourite thing about being in the band is the friends I’ve made. To travel the world with such an amazing group of people has been just the most amazing experience and can’t wait to travel to more places…and the bevy!