Simon began drumming at the age of 13 in his hometown of Elgin in the north of Scotland. He joined the Army at the age of 16 and spent the next 10 years soldiering whilst also performing and teaching drumming all over the world, including concert tours of America, India and Australia. He spent his last 3 years in the army teaching at the ‘Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming’, teaching all levels of drumming from PDQB and RSPBA beginner to advanced level. He was also a part of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo production team during his final year in the army. Since leaving the army he became a musical advisor to the army cadet force and also taught at Belhaven Hill School in Dunbar. During this time, he ran a drumming tuition company ‘DrumScotland’ where he taught Skype lessons all over the world and taught drumming workshops all over the UK and Europe.

Simon is currently the principal drumming teacher for the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT) and is the drumming tutor for the Preston Lodge High School Pipe Bands. During his time there the bands have won several major championships, including twice champion of champions drum corps prizes. He also has had huge success with solo drummers as 2 of his pupils have won the world solo drumming championships under his tutelage.

Simon spends a lot of his free time creating drumming tutorial videos on his YouTube channel, Facebook page and Instagram page. The videos are designed to help those who need it and are geared towards all levels of pipe band drumming. The videos are watched and used by bands and individuals all over the world.

Simon’s experience in grade 1 pipe bands include Clan Gregor Society, Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band and Scottish Power Pipe Band. Simon was also the leading drummer of the grade 1 Denny and Dunipace Pipe Band for one competition season. He is currently the lead drummer for the City of Edinburgh Pipe Band. His vision is to bring back a top-level grade 1 band to the capital city of Scotland. Simon is also a sponsored artist for Rudimental Drummers who produce his unique ‘S.Grant’ Pipe Band Drumsticks.

Simon joined the Pearl artist roster in 2024 and says “I am extremely proud to be joining the Pearl marching artist’s roster. I am looking forward to showcasing the fantastic Medalist Pearl Pipe Band Snare Drum in future videos, competitions, and performances”.