World Champion Snare Drummer Scott Birrell is originally from Fife, Scotland but currently resides in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Scott began drumming at the age of six and was initially taught by his grandfather, Alec Birrell. He started learning through Burntisland and District Pipe Band under the instruction of Mark Gibson. Scott later progressed to play for Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band. Scott was initially under the tutelage of the legendary MBE Tom Brown, followed by World Champion Gordon Brown. Scott also was a member of the Scottish Power Pipe Band drum corps under the leadership of Jake Jorgensen.
Scott was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to study at the prestige Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow where he received expert tuition from sixteen times World Solo Drumming Champion, MBE Jim Kilpatrick.
Scott studied there for four years gaining a BA Honours Degree in Scottish Music.
Shortly after Scott’s studies he moved to Invercargill, where he lead the City of Invercargill Highland Pipe Band and was employed by the Southland Piping and Drumming Development Trust. Scott was a strong driving force behind the Invercargill band moving from Grade 4 to grade 1 in just 5 years. Scott continued to travel back to Scotland and compete with Boghall and Bathgate at the World Pipe Band Championships. In 2012 the drum corps took out almost all drumming awards crowning them World Champions as well as the Champion of Champions title. This is by far the proudest moment in his drumming career. Scott joined the Scottish Power Pipe Band in 2017 performing in many competitions and taking part in the Pre-Worlds concert in 2019.
Scott is currently employed by St Andrews College, Christchurch where he is the Principal Drumming Instructor for the school.