About The Academy of Scottish Arts

We feel that proper tuition in the art of playing the Great Highland Bagpipe and Scottish Drumming all disciplines is very important. The instructors have many years of experience knowledge and theory to pass on to the Pipers and drummers from the novice to the most advanced.

The Director of Music - Pipe Major Roddy MacDonald

His father, a native of Tarscavaig, Isle of Skye, encouraged Roddy, to take up piping at the early age of nine. He was taught by Neil Henderson of Dunoon, a nephew of John "Jock" MacLellan: the composer of so many classical tunes. Later he was under the tutelage of Donald McLeod, who gave him a tremendous background in piobaireachd which is the classical music for bagpipes. He played with the 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and the Invergordon Distillery pipe bands. Both bands were highly competitive, Invergordon winning the Scottish, British, European and Cowal Championships while placing third in the World Pipe Band Championship in Grade I.

One of his favorite achievements was in winning of the "Prince Charles Trophy" for musical composition. The tunes (a Strathspey and Reel) became very popular in the pipe band scene and are still being played by top bands throughout the world. Fiona MacDonald and Calum Iain are published in the Grand Altogether Collection, as well as, Scot MacAulay Collection of Piping. In the USA, he was Pipe Major of the City of Wilmington Pipe Band which won repeatedly in Grade II competitions in the US and Canada.

He began the Delmar and District Pipe Band, made up of his students, which progressed from Grade V, up to Grade III, and won in the US and Canada. He also won the North American Championship both times he competed in Maxville, Ontario for solo piping besides numerous awards in Scotland, Canada, and the USA. He was a guest artist with the concerto written for the pipes and strings, "King Arthur's Return". Also played for the dedication of the Clan Donald Museum on the Isle of Skye, Scotland and again for the dedication of the new wing.

Roddy is a Past-President of the EUSPBA, having been involved in all of the Association's activities from it's embryonic condition. He is currently serving on the EUSPBA Music Board.

Roddy is currently the Co-founder and Director of Music Education at the Academy of Scottish Arts, as well as teaching at the Sarasota Military Academy, the history and playing techniques of the great highland bagpipe. With his busy schedule you will frequently find him adjudicating at various highland games and piping competitions, instructing at workshops throughout North America and composing tunes.

MacDonald Crest