Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band has a proud history stretching back more than three decades. Founded in the early 1990s in Portchester, the band was established by former servicemen and musicians whose military backgrounds brought together a wealth of piping, drumming, discipline and camaraderie.
Among our founding members were personnel from the Seaforth Highlanders, Queen’s Own Highlanders, The Black Watch, Royal Hampshire Regiment, Maritime RCT and REME. Their combined military heritage helped shape the character of the band and established a strong tradition of friendship, commitment and musical excellence that continues to influence us today.
Originally known as Tulloch Ard – Gaelic for “high hill” – the band went through several changes during its early years. For a short period, we briefly merged with the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service Pipe Band, before re-establishing ourselves independently in Marchwood in the late 1990s.
From those early beginnings, Hampshire Caledonian has continued to evolve, through changing generations of musicians, to different homes. In 2023, the band moved to Portsmouth, which remains our home today. From here, we continue to build, grow and thrive, looking firmly towards the future.
Our motto:
“Fortem Tempestatum”
Strong storm
A tartan that represents our future
For many years, Hampshire Caledonian proudly wore the Prince Charles Edward Stuart tartan. However, in 2024, we took an important step in defining the band’s modern identity with the introduction of our new Kintyre Storm tartan.
Inspired by the dramatic landscapes, rugged coastline and ever-changing skies of the Kintyre Peninsula, Kintyre Storm combines a strong connection to Scottish heritage with a distinctly modern character. It has become an important symbol of the band’s continuing evolution and the direction we are taking into the future.
Taking on competition
In 2026, Hampshire Caledonian took another major step forward by entering the world of competitive piping and drumming for the first time.
Competing in Grade 4B, our first season has already marked an exciting new chapter in the band’s history. With a growing membership, ambitious musicians and an increasingly competitive outlook, we are building towards an exciting future both on and off the competition field.
But competition is only one part of who we are.
We continue to perform at community events, festivals, parades, Highland gatherings, memorial services and private functions, bringing the sound and spectacle of pipes and drums to audiences across Hampshire and beyond.
Our future
Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band is more than just a pipe band. We are a community built around music, tradition, friendship and ambition.
From the military musicians who established the band in the 1990s, to the new generation of pipers and drummers helping shape its future, we remain proud of where we have come from – while always looking forward to where we can go next.
Meet the Team
Rich has been playing the bagpipes for 30 years, having first started at the age of 11, taught by his dad. With music running in the family, his involvement in band life began almost as soon as he could walk! His musical journey began with the TS Explorer NTC, where he learned to play the bagpipes, side drum and bugle. After around 10 years with the corps, Rich left as Pipe Major and Bandmaster before going on to play with a number of local bands. Rich eventually joined Hampshire Caledonian, initially taking on the role of Lead Drummer under the direction of then Pipe Major Jim Dawson. Following Jim’s retirement, Rich stepped into the new role of Pipe Major – a position he has proudly held for the past 12 years. During that time, he has helped build Hampshire Caledonian into the strong, friendly and entertaining show band that it is today, while more recently leading the band into the competitive scene.
With 12 years as Pipe Major and 30 years of piping behind him, Rich has had the privilege of leading Hampshire Caledonian through an exciting new chapter – and he’s looking forward to seeing where the next one takes us.
Favourite tune? Dollar Sunrise.
Favourite post-band takeaway? Doner kebab.
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Golden eagle, because it is beautiful, majestic and can fly.
One word to describe HCPB? Epic.
Darren’s pipe band journey began around 20 years ago, when he joined his local pipe band alongside his daughter, Christina. It was there that he learned to play both snare and bass drum, taught by a former Royal Scots Dragoon Guard. Over the years, Darren played with several drum corps across the South of England before joining Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band in 2016, alongside Christina. Today, Darren predominantly plays snare, although he can occasionally be found behind the bass drum when needed. In recent years, he has also taken on a supporting Drum Major role within the drum corps, helping to keep everything running smoothly both on and off the field. As well as keeping the drummers in line, Darren is responsible for the care, maintenance and upkeep of the band’s drums and equipment – including the odd set of bagpipes requiring a repair! A familiar face within Hampshire Caledonian for many years, Darren continues to play alongside his daughter and contribute to the band both musically and behind the scenes.
Favourite tune? Hector the Hero.
Favourite post-band takeaway? Kebab.
If you could be any animal, what would it be? A Swift.
One word to describe HCPB? Still deciding.
Christina’s love of the pipes started when she was just a bairn, beginning to learn at the age of six in her local village pipe band. With both her parents also involved in the band – playing tenor, bass and snare – music and pipe band life quickly became a family affair. After going on to play with several bands across Hampshire, as well as a cadet band where she also began learning the clarinet, Christina joined Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band in 2016. Now with 20 years of piping experience, she took on the role of Pipe Sergeant in 2024, helping to lead the piping section and support the band both musically and competitively. She also continues to play alongside her father today in Hampshire Caledonian, keeping the family tradition very much alive. Away from the pipes, Christina is also the band’s Secretary and Content Creator, keeping the band moving and making sure there’s plenty happening across its social media and website. So, if she’s not playing the pipes, there’s a good chance she’s behind the camera, creating content and making sure everyone else knows what the band is up to!
Favourite tune? Hector the hero.
Favourite post-band takeaway? Chinese. The only right answer.
If you could be any animal, what would it be? A wee highland coo.
One word to describe HCPB? Bedlam.
Tom’s pipe band journey began at just six years old, growing up surrounded by the competitive pipe band scene and developing a passion for drumming from an early age. After making his competition debut at the age of 18 with the University of Bedfordshire Pipe Band, Tom went on to enjoy a hugely successful drumming career. A particularly successful chapter came during his time with Macanta Pipe Band, competing in Grade 3B and helping the band secure multiple European and Scottish Championship titles, two World Pipe Band Championship Champion of Champions titles, as well as the World Championship Drumming title. Most recently, Tom was a member of City of Plymouth Pipe Band, helping them achieve an impressive 6th-place finish at the 2026 World Pipe Band Championships. In 2026, Tom joins Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band as our new Lead Drummer, bringing a wealth of experience and championship-level knowledge to our drum corps. With the 2027 competition season firmly in our sights, we’re excited to have Tom on board and look forward to seeing what the next chapter brings for Hampshire Caledonian.
Favourite tune? Lord Alexander Kennedy.
Favourite post-band takeaway? Curry.
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Eagle – fly high and be proud.
One word to describe HCPB? Loyal.
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