Gordon Bruce
I have been using an extended small Bannatyne hide zipper bag in my solo playing since 2011. It is a very comfortable bag to play with a great feel under the arm. I have also recently started playing the moisture control system, and cannot get over the amount of playing time I can get out of one canister. With the easy to use silicon gels changing colour when wet, I no longer have to guess when to change a canister, eliminating the risk of drones stopping due to moisture. I would highly recommend both products to any standard of piper.
Being a bagpipe instructor I feel that it is important to give students equipment that is easy to use and maintain as well as being reliable. This is why all my pupils in West Lothian Schools play Bannayne pipe bags and moisture control systems. The bags give a solid feel under the pupils arm helping them to work on keeping their instruments steady, with the moisture control system aiding this by regulating the air flow going to the drones. With the canisters needing very little maintenance and being easy to dry, it allows my pupils to look after their instruments more independently.
Gordon Bruce is originally from Arbroath and now stays in Kilwinning.
He graduated in 2007 with a 1st Class Honours Degree from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama’s BA Scottish Music – Piping Degree, becoming the first piper to graduate from the Piping Degree with 1st class Honours.
In 2011,Gordon became only the 3rd person in history to win the double Silver Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering (Oban) and Northern Meeting (Inverness).
Gordon is currently the Piping Instructor for West Lothian Council. And P/M of the West Lothian Schools Pipe band Schools. Within two years, he has taken the band from its formation to Champion of Champions in Novice Juvenile, with UK and European Championship wins and 3rd at the Worlds. No mean feat!
Previous bands Gordon played with are:- Arbroath RBL, The 52nd Lowland Regiment and Scottish Power.
Gordon currently receives tuition from Anne Johnston. Anne is a previous winner of the Silver Medal at the Northern Meeting, and just to complete the family picture, Ann’s son Finlay is also a previous winner of the same medal.
Solo wins playing Bannatyne:-
- Argyllshire Gathering Silver Medal 2011
- Northern Meeting Silver Medal 2011
- Overall B Grade aggregate Northern Meeting 2011
- B grade Strathspey and Reel Inveraray Games 2011
- A&P grade MSR Highlands and Islands 2012
- B Grade Strathspey Argyllshire Gathering 2013
Band Championships wins playing Bannatyne (Started competing in 2012):-
- Best Schools Pipe Band Cowal Championship 2013
- UK Championships 2014
- European Championships 2014
- 3rd World Championship 2014
- Champion of Champions Novice Juvenile 2014
