Johnstone Pipe Band (Gr. 2)
Band profile, current ranking snapshot, and competition history.
Current Rank Points
Movement Story
Rank Points Trend
Profile Highlights
Discipline Breakdown
Band Details
| Location | Johnstone, Renfrewshire |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1943 |
| Active | Active |
| Association | RSPBA |
| Region | Europe |
| Country | Scotland |
| Band profile details are still being gathered. Know more about this band? Submit an update. | |
About the Band
Johnstone Pipe Band is a Renfrewshire pipe band from Johnstone, Scotland, founded in 1943 by James Mackay, a former Provost of Johnstone Burgh. In his honour, the band wears Blue Mackay tartan. Like many wartime pipe bands, its first role was practical and civic: playing for the local Home Guard and supporting parades and community events around the town.
The band entered the competition scene early, with its first recorded appearance at the World Pipe Band Championships in 1948. It steadily worked through the grades, winning Grade 4 Champion of Champions in 1980, then later enjoying major success under the Bowes family leadership. It won the Grade 2 European Championship in 2015 and the Grade 2 World Championship in both 2015 and 2016, earning promotion to Grade 1.
Johnstone is also known for teaching and youth development. It runs learner classes and PDQB courses from its hall, and has worked with Renfrewshire Council, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Trust. In 2017, that work helped establish Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band.
Leadership & History
No leadership history is available yet.
Grade History
| Year | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3A | 2 |
Competition Results
| Date | Competition | Contest Grade / Section | Place | Set | Rank Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 May 2026 | British Pipe Band Championships | 2 | 8 | MSR | -1.54 |
| 23 May 2026 | Dollar Pipe Band and Drum Major Competition | 2 | 3 | MSR | 2.93 |
| 23 May 2026 | Dollar Pipe Band and Drum Major Competition | 1 | 6 | MSR | 2.93 |
| 16 Aug 2025 | World Pipe Band Championships - Day 2 | 3A | 6 | MSR | 1.60 |
| 16 Aug 2025 | World Pipe Band Championships - Day 2 | 3A | 12 | Medley | -7.14 |
| 9 Aug 2025 | European Pipe Band Championships | 3A | 12 | MSR | -7.13 |
| 26 Jul 2025 | Scottish Pipe Band Championships | 3A | 19 | Medley | -12.20 |
| 19 Jul 2025 | Renfrew Highland Games | 2 | 3 | MSR | -5.39 |
| 19 Jul 2025 | Renfrew Highland Games | 3 | 4 | Medley | -5.27 |
| 24 May 2025 | Dollar Academy | 3 | 3 | MSR | 1.67 |