Thistle Piping was established in 1999 by founder and proprietor Pipe Major Julie Brinklow. Julie recognised a demand in the local area for a professional piping service and tuition when she was repeatedly asked to tutor beginners and perform at weddings and events.
Julie, leads the Grade 2 band – Grampian Police Scotland Pipe Band is also the official piper for the City of Aberdeen being the Lord Provost’s Piper. Julie was awarded the OSS Medal for services to Piping and the Community in 2025.
” I don’t seek to be the biggest company, to me that isn’t very personal, I look to provide a service that’s second to none, with my personal input and contact with each and every client. Our clients seek us out because they want me and my team” (PM J.Brinklow)
Thistle Piping is a multi award winning bagpiper service and wedding service, We also provide private tuition at Robert Gordons College, The University of Aberdeen and work with the Youth Music Initiative leading projects in local schools.
In addition, we regularly provide pipers for funerals, corporate events, corporate entertainment and can also link you with a ceilidh & covers band should you require one.
Julie’s Pipe Band career has also been successful over many years where she is now in her 3rd Pipe-Majorship. Stonehaven Pipe Band in the 90s saw promotion from 4B to 4A to 3B, before Julie moved on to Grampian Police Pipe Band in 1999 where she remained until 2012. In 2008 Julie started tutoring Portlethen Pipe Band and undertook a period of dual-registration as Pipe Major until 2011 before going “full-time” with Portlethen until 2024 during which time Portlethen & District were promoted from 4B to 4A to 3B to 3A and finally Grade 2 whereby they became 2 time European Pipe Band Champions, Scottish Drumming Champions and ranked in the top 6 every season until the band collapsed due to a lack of funds at the end of 2024. Julie was then recruited to rejoin and take charge of Grampian Police Pipe Band as Pipe Major and saw the entire membership of Portlethen followed Julie to continue their Grade 2 journey.