Saor Patrol

Chick has only been playing pipes for a few years. Already a talented musician (accordion,fiddle) he gained both inspiration and confidence on the pipes,encouraged by other pipers and drummers while working on a film set. From that point on he has never looked back. He's progressed from strength to strength and has developed an individual style of playing which is quite unique. He has taken the pipes and turned them into a versatile musical instrument ,instead of an "archaic Scottish icon".His powerfull playing, pushed to the limits by the drum section, requires fitness and stamina which he attains through his active life style.
An enthusiastic lover of seeing worthy projects through to the end, charlie has been relentless in pushing his dream forward, feeding off his own enthusiasm every time he has been in a position to explain what the trust is all about and what its volunteers intend to do. While others have given up, Charlie has just kept on going even when all odds seemed against him.
The people who supported him are now witnessing the results of his determination. When he talks of the Trust's goals, it is always “We” never “I”. He has been chasing those goals not just for personal achievement, but also for the sake of those around him who as he says, “have shown dedication, respect, honour and trust; trust that I would continue until I came up with the goods”
Kev is one of those "didn't know he was adrummer till he started" kind of guys. He took to his drum like a dog to mince,and rapidly increased in confidence and ability to become "a good helmsman in a drumbeat".
Out of Penicuik Midlothian and a keen lover of music playing Bass guitar has been his passion for some time.
The promotion of the Clanranald Trust is also a major part of his life, voluntarily assisting in the trusts activities on a day to day basis.
Kev has been with the band from the beginning and is probably better known for eating ALL THE TIME!!! every time the band is seen Kev is usually eating, going to eat or thinking about how hungry he is.
Don't put your hand near him when noshing you might loose a few digits!!
Also keen biker more off road than on these days he has been known to disappear into the hills, literally, for days! As he says "never seeing anyone, or even a road for hours at a time".
When he's not doing that he spends some time manufacturing ceramic wares,including terracotta handles,for a swordmaker in the north.
A seasoned musician of 20 plus years who has a passion for Quo as he says "the best band he's ever seen" can raise a few eyebrows with his ability to burst into song at after parties thrashing out the 12 Bar Blues.
Enthusiastic drummer and supporter of everything Saor Patrol has to offer, Marcus has thrown himself into the band with a passion.
Great Bass beat keeper although you can tell he just wants to go mad on more than one drum. His varied Bass beats keep the crowd on their toes and the feet tapping.
Surprising to some he also has a strong attraction and love of Techno, Garage and hard core Dance . He loves it.
Many's a night we have lost track of him only to find him in the centre of a dance crazy crowd giving it LARGE!!!
Is one of our newest additions to the band of brothers bringing a second set of bagpipes.
Jesus is from Castilla, near Madrid where he spent some time learning the Galizian bagpipes and he came to Scotland 3 years ago to learn the Scottish bagpipes. Liking it here so much he never went home again.
Bringing the Bombard, which is a medieval chanter, to the stage has added a new variation of sound to Soar Patrol. Currently learning the compositions of Charlie he will provide the rhythm allowing Charlie to go off on one like lead on a guitar.
Jesus also used to sing in a Castillian Rock band for 5 years, called Nucleo Terco. He is a craftsman of Leather and Bone-craft and through his choice his fine work will soon be available through the website of the Clanranald Trust.
Former Bagpipe player in his youth and from Ireland Ally has come to take the place of Mark and keep the beat with the Bass Drum.
He had a simple piece of advice from Mark and that was “Just hit it hard and loud until they tell you to back off”
We first met Ally while we where filming in Ireland on the film set of King Arthur. We were there for 5 months and he admits that back then he had no thoughts of playing with us.
Fate in its weird and wonderful way meant our paths were destined to cross again. 2 Years later we were invited across to take part in a medieval show in Antrim that went down a treat with the boys.
His passion and expertise with horses led him to the South of England, near Derby where we were next to meet up. A few shows later and a good few after parties and hey……. here he is, now living in Scotland and part of SP and also providing horse related combat and stunt work as part of the services of Combat International.
A Note For Mark Monaghan and his fans...
Mark will be around on the electric gigs that don’t demand his presence in the band so much, we hope.
As he said wi a smile on his dish “Am gonna be a Daaaaaa!!”
This is for the Great Mark Monaghan whos’ heart is greater than most we know. Mate, Brother and fellow Clansman, we all miss your smile and your kindness and hope that the road ahead is a bright one.
We all wish the best for you and your newcomer to the world, be they a Son or a Daughter they will one day learn of the sacrifices you have made to be there for them.
Your presence in the band was a strong one and you will be thought of every time Ally hits that drum.
The door will always be open as has been in the past.


(from the Gaelic word ‘Saorsa’, meaning freedom / liberty)
The unique sound of Scotland in the 21st century, bringing the sounds of the past into the present and launching the listener into an exciting future for this Scottish band based at their Kincardine headquarters in Scotland.
Those that have heard SAOR PATROL live never forget the visual image, and the vibrant energy they send out to their audience during a performance. Their vibrant pipe tunes and drum rhythms please, and excite, many a crowd from all walks of life.
Still holding onto their unique sound and style they continue to combine old roots and new blood. Once again Saor Patrol has brought to you their very own Celtabilly music.
Saor Patrol now has a backlog of cds, Espee their first Album, now very rare was followed by Black Bull along with EPs I an II . Their third album Aptly called Full Boar is their latest contribution. All available and easy to buy on-line.
Saor Patrol have played at festivals throughout Europe and the USA and are available for bookings for any occasion.
Contact us for a unique Scottish experience for Festivals, Corporate and Public Events, Private Functions, weddings, Ceilidhs, Events, Gatherings, Galas, Private functions etc.. bringing a taste of Scottish tradition with a difference to any event.
The band hopes that you enjoy listening to it as much as they enjoyed recording it. With a special thanks to go to Paul Kane of Livingston for production.
The sound we have evolved and developed has been referred to as "Celtabilly". Bluegrass, Rockabilly and many other sounds have evolved from traditional Scottish and Irish music over the centuries,This is our contribution.
Since the band formed they have grown from strength to strength,taking their music further and further afield, gathering momentum on the way.
The gigs Saor Patrol have performed at have grown considerably in profile, such as The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Taiwan Festival of World Culture, The Scottish Drum Day, Dollywood USA, Ely Folk Festival, the "Rock and Blues Custom show", and Dublin's Gaeity theatre but to name a few. Saor Patrol continue to spread their unique music touring the world with future performances encompassing such countries as Norway, Italy, Ireland, Germany , Australia, Taiwan and New Zealand.
There is more to Saor patrol than meets the eye. We are all volunteers of the Clanranald trust for Scotland, a recognised Scottish charity, whose primary aim is the promotion of Scottish cultural heritage through entertainment and education.
To this end we travel the country all summer giving traditional combat/battle displays,and educational talks. We also supply trained stunt crews and advisors to the film/tv industry. Although the band is separate from the Trust, one heavily promotes the other at all times.
"Culloden"
Film shoot for Visitors Center 28/4/2007
Members of Saor Patrol and the Clanranald International Combat Team were performing at lauder moor recreating the battle at Culloden Moor for the Culloden Visitors Center. The final cut of this film shoot can now be viewed at the Culloden Visitors Center.
The current visitor centre was opened in 1984 and has been extended several times.
More than 200,000 people visit the battlefield a year, with its exhibition and education facilities, aims to enable more visitors to learn about the story behind Culloden.
On April 16 1746 the Duke of Cumberland led a 9,000-strong force against the 5,000-man Scottish army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart - Bonnie Prince Charlie – at Culloden near Inverness.