Piping and Drumming (Under 21s) – On Campus: 07 July 2025

If you also require accommodation, you will be able to add this to your basket after you have added the course. Further information about accommodation options may be found here.

If making an application on behalf of your child, please ensure that the account is created in the name of the person attending the course.

A piping and drumming course of this type has long been associated with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, with many of today’s top young players having attended these courses at the College. In recent years, this course has been directed under the skilful guidance of world renowned piper and judge Iain MacFadyen, and Skye piper and accomplished drummer Andrew MacPherson.

The aim of the course is to develop piping, drumming and percussion skills (bodhran, djembe, ceilidh drumming) for any student under 21 who has a reasonable grasp of playing tunes on the practice chanter, but preferably has been playing for a while on the pipes too. Students are encouraged to take part in both the piping and drumming classes with the aim of improving their timing and rhythm, and the course is split between the two classes.

On the course, students are taught “light music”: the recognised competition marches, strathspeys and reels, together with hornpipes, Gaelic airs and jigs. They are also taught “Ceòl Mòr” (or the ‘great music’): the techniques and tunes found in the classical pìobaireachd style.

About Iain and Andrew

Iain MacFadyen hails from a famous piping family with strong Hebridean connections.  In their piping careers, both he and his brothers won the piping world’s top prizes and accolades. He is therefore steeped in the traditions and knowledge of traditional piping, having himself been taught by some of the best pipers that were around at the time. As such, we are extremely pleased and privileged to be able to offer this course with the opportunity of instruction from Iain.

Andrew MacPherson is a professional musician who has played with award winning bands such as Deoch ‘n’ Dorus, the Angus Nicolson Trio, The Urban Teuchters and Niteworks. As a multi-instrumentalist used to playing in the studio or in front of a live audience, he has also played in many sessions; dance bands and pipe bands alike. He therefore has valuable experience of piping and drumming for performance and is able to offer the student his knowledge of these varying styles.  Andrew is a graduate of the BA Scottish Traditional Music course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly known as the RSAMD). Andrew also works at many of Scotland’s Fèisean and schools, where he teaches children of all ages and abilities.

PLEASE NOTE: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has a Duty of Care to all of its students, but also additional responsibilities with regard to young students under 18 years who are coming into an adult environment on campus.

• If the young person is under 12 years of age whilst on the course, a parent/carer/named responsible adult must accompany them to the College and be responsible for supervision at lunch time and at all other out-of-class times (except for break time, when the course tutor will be responsible).
• If the young person is 12, 13, 14 or 15 years of age, a parent/carer/named responsible adult must accompany them to the College and be responsible for them before and at the end of each day’s classes.
• Any person under 16 years of age staying overnight on College premises (including campers) MUST be accompanied by an adult who will also be onsite overnight.
• If the young person is 16 or 17 years of age, the College is responsible for them under Child Protection Legislation, and supervision on-campus by a parent/carer/named responsible adult is not required. (A completed and signed copy of the Duty of Care form is still required.)

Timetable for the Week:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 09:30 – 16:30
Wednesday: 09:30 – 14:30 (early finish)
Friday: 10:00 – 12:30