Our Team

Pipe Major James Cowie

James began piping at an early age, starting his journey with Melbourne's William Bruce. He has since become one of Australia’s most successful pipe majors.

James joined the Moorabbin City Pipe Band, where he became pipe major at 14. He later moved to grade one bands Nunawading and Victoria Police, where he honed his bagpipe setup and tuning skills under Robert Crozier and Ross Bates.

In 1996, James moved to Perth to join the Western Australia Police Pipe Band (WAPOL) as a full-time piper. Promoted to pipe major in 1997, he led the band for 11 years, achieving a Grade 2 World Championship and a Grade 1 North American Championship. WAPOL also qualified for the World Championships in 2004 and recorded several popular albums under James’ leadership.

James was the founding pipe major of Perth Metro and has been instrumental in mentoring players over the last 19 years, culminating in the 2016 Grade 3B World Championship win.

He has competed with several grade one pipe bands, including Nunawading, Australia Highlanders, Victoria Police, Western Australia Police, Peel Regional Police, and Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia.

Currently, James is competing internationally with the LA Scots Pipe Band from California.

James holds a Bagpipe Teaching Diploma and an Advanced Certificate in Piping from Pipe Bands Australia. He is also a qualified piping judge.