Who are the Rollin Drones?
There's a lot more to us than meets the eye! In fact, we've an incredible network of musicians who are passionate about delivering excellent entertainment - that's the Drones way.
Here's a wee bit of chat about who we are and how we got here.
CEO, Bassist & Piper
Mike Farrel
Mike excelled in and out of pipe bands since age 9, earning prizes at major competitions. He has piped across Scotland and at international events in Spain, Germany, and France. He has also performed at renowned venues, including the Millenium Dome and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
As CEO, bassist and piper in the Drones, Mike has his hands full keeping the Drones in line whilst taking our business to the next level. We can't think of anyone more suited to the job!
Co-Founder & Piper
Greg McAllister
With over 25 years of bagpipe experience, Greg has played in world-renowned pipe bands in Scotland. His junior solo piping success includes major victories in Grade one championships, and he is a four-time World Champion with Inveraray & District.
Greg has also guested internationally, most recently becoming Pipe Major of St Andrews Pipe Band in Brisbane.
Vocalist & Marketing Director
Heather Robertson
Heather has been singing professionally for over 13 years. She honed her performing skills in the world of musical theatre, playing several lead roles throughout Scotland.
When she's not on stage with us, she leads the charge on our marketing and is Global Brand Manager for Arran Single Malt.
Her favourite part of life in the Rollin Drones? Playing whisky festivals, of course!
Keys & Keytarist
Andy MacDonald
Andy’s musicianship began at 14 with drums, singing, and composition. His journey from rock bands to theatre and opera shaped his diverse musical career. After his studies, he began tutoring, arrangement, and musical direction.
Andy, now embracing the piano and keytar, finds joy both on and off the stage with the Rollin Drones. Career highlights include performances at Fèis Ìle and arranging a symphonic project with Ian White, which he later recorded with the Janáček Orchestra.
Guitarist
Bryan Dignan
With over 30 years of experience, Bryan has toured extensively on an international scale, supporting acts like The Proclaimers and The Vengaboys. He also works as a private music tutor and session guitarist.
An interesting note is his past involvement in televised pantomimes and dealing at the first million-pound poker tournament on the Isle of Man. And eagle-eyed Outlander fans might have spotted him in his side-hustle as a background actor!
Drummer
Iain McFarlane
lain found his rhythm as a teenager, starting a rock band with his mates. He relocated to London and became a sought-after musician known for his dynamic style and reliable groove.
lain has toured internationally with a variety of artists, including CC Smugglers, Alex Francis, and Brown Sugar. His first gig after moving back to Scotland was with The Drones. What started as a one-off show eventually led to a permanent spot in the band - and the rest, as they say, is history.
Vocalist
Ruth Alexis Jack
Ruth has been performing for as long as she can remember, having danced and played instruments from a young age. In 2017, Ruth graduated with a degree in music and began her journey as a professional vocalist.
After working as a professional singer in touring productions and party bands across Europe and the Middle East, Ruth returned to Scotland and has since sang with numerous bands and shows.
Piper
Emma Hill
Raised on Scotland’s West Coast, Emma started piping aged 7 and went on to graduate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She is now Clubs Producer at the National Piping Centre.
Emma’s performance experience has taken her worldwide, to the greens with Pipe Bands and to solo contests. She is now delighted to be performing with The Drones!
Outside of music, you’ll likely find Emma in a quiet library corner or at the top of a Munro!
Vocalist
Gina Wiley
Gina began performing at age 4 and trained in dance and musical theatre at the London College of Performing Arts and The Centre. After graduating, she went on to perform in a production company in Malta.
Since then, she has toured the UK in a Little Mix tribute and now performs in a number of bands across Scotland.
When Gina is not performing, she runs her vocal coaching business 'Sing with Gina.'
Keys & Keytarist
Ting Tang
Ting is a talented keys player and vocalist, having been part of several bands performing across Scotland and beyond.
In addition to an extensive performing diary, he is known in the agriculture circuit for his rearing of prizewinning Bourbon Red Turkeys. He currently holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest known Bourbon Red - Agatha aged 13 years.
Drummer
Rob Shearer
Rob comes from a musical family. His passion for drumming spans over two decades as experienced session musician in the recording studio and the live stage.
Rob performed in orchestras before progressing to working with wedding and function bands around the country - all whilst writing and recording with his own music project. Rob’s experience notably includes supporting The Who at Wembley Stadium, as well as recording at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Drummer
Ruairidh Saunders
With 25+ years experience, Ruairidh's proudest achievements are his first-class degree in Popular Music Performance, playing at the O2 Arena in London and performing a Fringe show run under actor Nick Mohammed.
He drummed internationally for Holland American Cruise Lines, and played shows for Grammy, Emmy and Tony award winner Billy Porter. He has also performed in pit orchestras musicals such as Legally Blonde, Cabaret, Made in Dagenham and West Side Story.
Guitarist
Grant Dryburgh
Grant is a working guitarist specialising in functions across Central Scotland and is a familiar face within the Scottish party band scene. He's known for solid timing, good tone and serving the song as it's meant to be served.
By day, he's a Programme Manager in engineering, bringing the same professionalism to his 9-5 as it does to the stage.
Bassist
Ross McAndrew
Ross began playing bass in his early teens. Starting in rock and metal bands, his professional career now spans nearly twenty years and features performances up and down the UK, musical theatre productions and sound engineering both live and in-studio.
In his spare time, Ross enjoys good food, dark whisky and being extremely boring about rugby tactics and Greek mythology. He also says he'll write a book one day. That'll probably be boring too.
Bassist
Mark Vincent-Paterson
For over a decade Mark has been pursuing his passion of becoming a session musician. He has been honing his craft playing with various tribute and function bands across Scotland, the UK North America.
Mark has shared the stage and performed with artists such as Big Country, LA-based Quadron and Adrenaline Mob (featuring drummer Mike Portnoy of Dream Theatre), and iconic venues like the SEC Armadillo and Sony Hall in New York.
Guitarist
Andy Dunn
Andy has played guitar in bands up and down the country, as well as doing engineering stuff.
At 17 he won an international Lemmings championship and still gets recognised at niche gaming conventions.
Guitarist
Duncan McLachlan
Duncan's 30 year journey as a guitarist has led to him performing in several bands and tribute acts across the UK as well as teaching and composing his own material for film, tv and video games.
He's also a keen chef, and particularly enjoys barb