"Doddy" was raised in, and still lives in, Annan. He began piping at the ripe old age of 10 in 1973 and prior to joining us in 1991, he played for Annan Ex-Service Club Pipe Band under PM Walter Cowan. Andy was one of the founder members of the band back in 1991 and played with us as the band climbed the grades until, through pressures of work, he had to leave the band in 1997. Andy is employed as a Police Officer, formerly based at Stranraer and a move back to Annan for him in 2000, enabled him to come back to the band early in 2001. Andy currently serves in Headquarters in Dumfries and is Secretary and Webmaster of the band....who said the boy didn't have talent??

When did you start playing and who with?

When I was just a little chap about 10 years old, I had a few lessons, and then seriously when I was 11. I was initially taught at school by Watty "The Banty Cock" Cowan and John "The Nail" Cowan, before their father PM John "Jack" Cowan, took a hold of me and taught me about piping and other things which I just couldn’t go into here - probably a few stories for the back of the bus.

What inspired you to start playing?

Don’t really know the answer to that one, just always wanted to play in the Annan Ex-Service Club Pipe band or the Annan British Legion Pipe band as it was when I first got the bug.

What other bands do you like to see and hear?

Having been around the block a bit now over three decades, I have to say in the seventies and eighties there was only really one band to hear - "The Polis". Latterly though the late eighties and early nineties I think Shotts took the Pipe band world forward and latterly the SFU have been absolutely awesome. I went to their concert in Glasgow (2002), and heard a group of musicians performing with a sound and with techniques that just were out of this world.

Who/What has influenced you in your playing?

Probably the three names above, the bands I have mentioned and my fair share of alcohol.

Do you have any favourite tunes or musical pieces?

The reel Mrs McPherson of Inveran is a particular favourite. Just wish I could half play it.

Are there any particular pipe band or solo performances that stand out in you mind?

As I have said above, the SFU in Glasgow were at another level of anything I have heard before. Just pure magic.

What do you do for a living?

I am a serving Police officer with Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary.

What other hobbies do you have?

I do a bit of fly fishing in what spare time I have and I enjoy watching football, now that the ankles can't take the strain of playing anymore.

What other types of music do you like to listen to?

Anything that is easy to the ear, but I am particularly fond of Shania Twain - listening and looking - if you know what I mean? Malty will be in front of me on that remark.

Do you play any other instruments?

Lets not go there - I have enough problems with the pipes!

Any amusing moments that stick in your mind from your years in pipe bands?

Had many laughs over the years and I hope many more to come, but I think the Alness trip in the pub with, at the time, a young member, who will remain anonymous for obvious reasons, of the band, whose chat up line was something to do with a bank account, maybe you had to be there but he is still someone who will put his foot in it on regular occasions and that puts a smile on all our faces - don’t you Bubba?!.

What, if anything, annoys you in the pipeband world?

Massed bands in the pouring rain.

What's been the best band trip (not necessarily with D&G Police)?

Definitely Norway 1997 - great sights and the countryside was nice too.

What are the highlights of your playing career?

Winning the G2 Worlds at Glasgow in 1986 with Annan Ex-Service Club, but I have a feeling that highlights will be in the future, not in the past.

And are there any low points?

Too many to mention, but I suppose walking away from the massed bands at Annan in July 1987, when I knew my playing days were over at Annan Ex-Service Club.

What are your goals within the pipe band world?

To make it to G1 with D&G and be as competitive as possible at that level.

Finally, if you could be re-incarnated as anyone, at any point in history, who would it be?

The guy that is married on Shania - as long as he's not a drummer!!!