MacLeod returns as Phoenix Honda-Glasgow Skye P-M

Returning to his family roots, Kenny MacLeod, a former pipe-major of the band, has come back as the new leader of Phoenix Honda-Glasgow Skye. The appointment was finalized at a band meeting on the evening of August 26th, after a search following the resignation of Craig Campbell.

MacLeod will formally take over the band following the Cowal Championships on August 28th.

Kenny MacLeod, well known for his co-ownership of McCallum Bagpipes of Kilmarnock, Scotland, was pipe-major of the band during much of the 1980s and 1990s. MacLeod’s father was the band’s first leader when it originally formed in 1968.

“I’m delighted to be back as Pipe-Major of the Glasgow Skye,” MacLeod said in a statement through the band. “I’ve got strong family connections with the band, my father was the founding pipe major, and my brother, Donald, and I were in charge after him. Although the band has slipped a bit in the last couple of years, I think the personnel are there to turn things round fairly quickly, and I’m looking forward to working with Jim Whitfield the leading-drummer. The main thing is we start to play some good music, and I’m sure we’ll have a few laughs and good times along the way.”

The band said that MacLeod was chosen at the meeting by “a large majority” and the members debated and voted for their preferred candidate. It is not known how many applicants there were for the post.

The band has been under the direction of Craig Campbell since 2000, and had competed in Grade 1 during some of the 1990s under Pipe-Major Ian Roddick. Pipe-Sergeant Iain Campbell, Craig Campbell’s brother, will also leave the band following Cowal.

Band Secretary Dougie Orr said, “The band would like to thank both Craig and Iain for their commitment and dedication over the past 10 years and although 2010 has been a difficult year for the Skye, there is a new air of optimism around the band members.”