L.A. Scots

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 the LA Scots #1 band competes in Grade 2 LA under the leadership of Pipe Major Scott MacDonald.

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