Pipe Major Julie Brinklow
Founder and Proprietor
Julie started piping at the age of 11 under the supervision of her sister, Elaine Brinklow, who quickly steered Julie to “The Heatherdale Pipe Band”. It was at Heatherdale that Julie first took to the competition arena aged 12.
At school Julie received further instruction from well known tutor of the time, Davie Duncan, who really boosted her progress as a young piper.
Age 17 she moved to Stonehaven Pipe Band, (Grade 4) under Pipe Major Brian Elrick and gained the benefits of instruction from the Grade 1 Pipe Band. In 1995, Julie was elected as Pipe Major and progressed the band over the next 2 years, resulting in them winning the "Champions of Champions" trophy at Cowal and being promoted to Grade 3. Throughout the "Stonehaven years" Julie composed several pipe tunes, many of which featured in the competition arenas.
Julie continued to progress the band in Grade 3 and, over the following 2 seasons, established the band on the leader board in both of it's 1st 2 years in the higher Grade. It was at this time in Julie's piping career that she realised her skills for teaching.
In 1999, she decided to further her musicianship by joining the Grampian Police Pipe Band in Grade 2. In this year she also established "Thistle Piping" to provide bagpipe tuition and a professional piping service in Aberdeen and surrounding areas. In 2011, Julie took over as Pipe Major of Portlethen & District Pipe Band, a band she had been tutoring since 2008.
Portlethen & District Pipe Band have progressed to become the regions fastest growing and promoted band in several decades. Climbing through 5 Grades to the top of Grade 2 in 8 seasons is testament to the hard work and dedication Julie has to bagpiping and building a strong team of pipers.
Julie now holds several appointments as follows:
- Visiting Instrumental Tutor for Bagpipes at Aberdeen University (2003-present)
- Bagpipe Instructor at Robert Gordons College (2016 - present)
- Fully Qualified Bagpipe Tutor with SCQF Certificates (Level 6 & Tutors Certificate)
- Pipe Major – Portlethen & District Pipe Band Grade 2
- Official Piper to the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Appointed 2022
In 2022 Julie was appointed as the official piper for the Lord Provost of Aberdeen and was presented with a Pipe Banner and Arm Badges embroidered with the Gold Aberdeen City Crest.
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