At the time of its formation the band was under the control of Burgh Chief Constable Hamilton and the Pipe Major was William Bremer. The first uniform was a home-spun kilt designed by the Chief Constable. It was after the pattern of hodden-grey but with a purple strip in the kilt, plaid and hose. This was the uniform until 1913, when it was superseded by the Royal Stewart Tartan.

Pipe Major William Bremner was succeeded by Pipe Major Walter Drysdale in 1890 and was followed in turn by Pipe Major Alexander Hutcheon in 1898. It was during Pipe Major Alexander Hutcheon's time that the band got to be known far beyond the confines of the shipbuilding burgh. The members always travelled in a four-in-hand coach drawn by grey horses. Pipe Major Hutcheon, who was a native of Ellon, Aberdeenshire joined the police in 1891, he had served in the Scots Guards and during the Egyptian campaign in 1882 won the Khedive Medal and Star for bravery. He was a great piper, tutor, reedmaker; and such was his enthusiasm for piping that he infected all others connected with him (we have an impressive photograph of him and a number of his pupils all wearing their medals hanging in our office today).

Pipe Major Alexander Hutcheon remained as Pipe Major until 1913 when he was superseded by Pipe Major William Gray. 

When Govan Burgh was annexed by Glasgow in 1912, the band passed over with the police to the greater entity and as the City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band, enjoyed the support and encouragement of large numbers.

It would take a book to relate the changes, incidents and interesting experiences which have occurred during the intervening years.

In 1920 under the leadership of Pipe Major William Gray, the band won the World Pipe Band Championship for the first time. Another ten years passed before they repeated this feat under the same Pipe Major. This was due to Willie as he was known, removing the band from competition and only playing at events that he thought the band was formed to play at. Willie Gray was an exceptional and world renown Piobaireachd player and teacher having won the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering in 1909. He preferred to teach the band members for solo competition. The band did however continue to play in contests organised by the Glasgow Parks Department. These were held in the Winter Gardens on Glasgow Green on Saturday evenings and the winning bands were awarded paid engagements to play in the Glasgow Parks during the summer months. This fitted Willie's ideas on the purpose of the Pipe Band. He said, "A band should be judged on its utility, or, in other words, according to the purpose which led to its creation. Military bands would thus be expected to show as their chief merits, a good appearance and a keen sense of time, civilian bands since their purpose is a pleasurable one, would be expected to have primarily a good repertoire and a pleasing standard of playing. The best band would be the one which combined all these qualities in the most efficient manner."

In 1932, the leadership changed once more. This time the position went to John MacDonald from South Uist. John was certainly one of this country's most gifted pipers and was taught for my years by Willie Gray. The band with his ability, influence, dedication and without doubt the good ground work from the  individual tuition that was put in place by his predecessor before him, took off. The band then went on to have World Championship wins in 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939 and then again after the second world war in 1946, 1949 and 1951. 

Pipe Major John MacDonald retired in 1958 and passed the Pipe Major's post to another Uist man, Angus MacDonald, who took on the task of re-organising the band; the ranks having thinned out due to illness, retirals and a lack of obvious upcoming talent. In his turn, Pipe Major Angus MacDonald slowly yet methodically rebuilt the band and had his patience rewarded when, in 1961 the Glasgow Police Pipe Band once again entered competitions, with no little success.

After promotion to the rank of Chief Inspector in 1966, Angus decided to relinquish the musical leadership and was appointed Band President. Pipe Major Ronald Lawrie took over the re-organised band and in 1967, led the band to its first Champion of Champions title. Unfortunately, ill health caused Pipe Major Lawrie to retire from his position prematurely. So, in 1972 the City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band came under the leadership of Pipe Major Ian McLellan. The most talked about era in pipe band history was about to commence.

In 1975, as a result of local government re-organisation, the City of Glasgow Police and 5 adjoining police forces amalgamated to form Strathclyde Police, now the second largest police force in Britain. This event witnessed the birth of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, which comprised pipers and drummers from the pipe bands of Renfrew & Bute Constabulary, Lanarkshire Constabulary and the City of Glasgow Police.  

With Pipe Major Ian McLellan and Drum Sergeant Alex Connell still in charge, the change of name did nothing to encourage other world champion contenders because the band won the World Championships in 1976, repeated the feat in 1979, then seemingly decided to move up a gear, winning the World Pipe Band Championship in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. The 6 World Pipe Band Championships won in successive years (1981-1986), remains a milestone that is unbeaten to date.  

Pipe Major Ian McLellan was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 1982 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to piping.

Upon the retirement of Pipe Major Ian McLellan in 1992, piper Harry McAleer was appointed to the post of Pipe Major. Pipe Major Harry McAleer led the band until 1996, during which time he led the band to success culminating in victory at the 1995 Scottish Pipe Band Championships. Harry remained in the band and was replaced by Pipe Major Ian Plunkett, who led the band for 5 years.

In 2001, long time band member James Wark was promoted to Pipe Major. In his first year in charge of the band, he led the band to top 6 positions in all of the 5 major RSPBA championships, as well as numerous victories at many of the provincial contests that the band entered. 2003 saw James leading the band to lift the British Pipe Band Championships. Throughout his 3 years as Pipe Major, James led the band to a top 6 placing at every major championship. James retired from the band and the police service in 2004.

Donald Mackay was then appointed as the new Pipe Major at the end of the 2004 competition season.

It takes a great blend to make up a championship winning band. The drum corps of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band has more than held up their end and picked up awards to prove it. The first Leading Drummer of the Govan Burgh Police Pipe Bandy was a Drum Major Walker, who held the position until it was eventually taken over by Drum Major Jack Seton. He was in turn superseded by his son Robert Seton, who held the position until he emigrated to New Zealand. Exact dates of their term of office axe not on record. 

After the second world war, the band continued it's activities on the competition field. At this time the leading drummer was Drum Sergeant Alex McCormick, who was one of the most gifted pipe band drummers of that time. It was under his leadership that the drum corps had it's first success in competitions by winning the World Drum Corps Championship in 1949 and then twice in succession in 1951 and 1952. Drum Sergeant McCormick emigrated to Australia in 1954 and the leading drummers' position was taken over by John Whalley, who held it until 1961, when the post was taken over by Alex Connell. 

It was under Alex's guidance that the drum corps started to assert itself once more in competitions and won top honours in the World, European, Scottish and Cowal Championships. Drum Sergeant Alex Connell relinquished his leading role in 1985 and the position was taken up by John Kirkwood, a native of St Catherine's, Ontario, Canada.

John remained as leading drummer until his retirment from the band in 1992. Veteran snare drummer Roddy Darroch was appointed Drum Sergeant, a position which he held until 1995.

Our current leading Drummer, Drum Sergeant Eric Ward was appointed and he has renewed the drum corps' reputation as being a contender for top awards. This culminated in the corps winning the Scottish Championships in 1999. Under Eric's leadership , the drum corps has become a regular fixture in the top 6 at major championships.

The pipe band consists almost entirely of serving police officers, forming an operational police unit covering Glasgow city centre. The officers undertake the full range of policing duties from uniform foot patrol to plain clothes operations.

The musical development of the pipe band has continued to flourish and consistently features in the prize list at all the major pipe band competitions.

Strathclyde Police Pipe Band participates in a wide variety of events throughout the year, providing the opportunity to develop the strong bond that exists between Strathclyde Police and the local community. The pipe band is also in great demand to attend events worldwide and they prove to be excellent ambassadors for Strathclyde Police.  

Major Championship Honours

Pipe Majors

Pipe Major William Bremner  - 1883 to 1890
Pipe Major Walter Drysdale -  1890 to 1898
Pipe Major Alexander Hutcheon - 1898 to 1913
Pipe Major William Gray - 1913 to 1932
Pipe Major John MacDonald -  1932 to 1958
Pipe Major Angus MacDonald - 1958 to 1966
Pipe Major Ronald Lawrie - 1966 to 1972
Pipe Major lan McLellan B.E.M. - 1972 to 1992
Pipe Major Harry McAleer - 1992 to 1997
Pipe Major Ian Plunkett - 1997 to 2001
Pipe Major James Wark - 2001 to 2004
Pipe Major Donald Mackay - 2004 to Present

Strathclyde Police Pipe Band was formed in 1975 after regionalisation occurred in Scotland. Below is a gallery of the former Pipe Majors of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band since it's formation.

(Pictured L to R: P/M Ian McLellan BEM, P/M Harry McAleer, P/M Ian Plunkett, P/M James Wark & P/M Donald Mackay)

Presidency Roll of Honour

In 2004, the band's membership decided unanimously that it would be fitting gesture of thanks to the division that plays home to the Pipe Band Unit to appoint a president to the committee of the band. It was passed that the unique roll would be filled by the serving Divisional Commander of 'A' Division and would become a position inherited upon being appointed to the post. Our first president was Chief Superintendent Louis Munn. Louis accepted the position with honour and became a proud ambassador for the pipe band at competitions and engagements. Louis retired from the police in 2004 and the presidency in 2005 having performed his duties as president par excellence.

Chief Superintendent Louis Munn - 2004 to 2005
Chief Superintendent David Christie - 2005 to Present

Acknowledgement
Many thanks to former band member John Winter, who contributed massively towards the research and compilation of the band history documented in this page. Also, thanks to Yves Tyson for the photograph of Pipe Major Ian McLellan BEM.