[1] The earliest known performance by the band was held on 2 June 1883 when the "Edinburgh City Police Pipers" played a number of sets at Waverly Market.

Under his leader-ship, the band was extremely successful competitively and won 5 World Pipe-Band Championship titles in 1963 (Dumfries), 1964 (Ayr), 1971 (Lanark), 1972 (Hawick) and in 1975 (Corby) as the renamed Lothian and Borders Police Pipe-Band.

Not only was the band successful competitively during this period, but represented the Police, the city of Edinburgh, Scotland and the U.K. performing at events throughout the UK and Europe, Canada and the USA, Japan, South Africa, Russia and even in Guam.

The music was enjoyed by piping enthusiasts all over the world and the band released 5 albums, as well as making cameo appearances in several Hollywood films including the original Casino Royale, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Battle of the Sexes and Let's be Happy.

During the International Edinburgh Festival, they were a regular feature, marching in a daily parade along Princes Street enjoyed by locals and tourists alike; one of the film sequences featured Vera Ellen as the "Drum Major".