The band was characterised by the extremely high calibre of the individual players.
[1] The idea of forming a band was put forward by a production manager at the distillery, Willie MacDonald, who played as a drummer at the time with the Dingwall British Legion Pipe Band.
[2][3] Frank Thomson, the owner of the distillery, decided to create the band with a view to winning the World Championships and bringing considerable attention to the firm.
[3] Alex Duthart was persuaded by Ramsay to leave Shotts and Dykehead to join the band in 1964, and was the leading drummer for four seasons until he left for Edinburgh City Police.
[10][11] Burgess had taken over from Donald Shaw Ramsay as pipe major of Edinburgh Police in 1957.