James McColl, was born and raised in Shotts, Scotland. He learned to play the pipes from Tam McAllister and played in the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band. he later developed an interest in solo piping and between 1949 and 1955 won most of the major awards in Scotland including the Gold Medal for piobaireachd at Oban.

Jimmy left Scotland in 1955 and immigrated to California. Living in Los Angeles he continued his solo competitive career, winning all the major competitive awards along the Pacific Coasts of Canada and the United States. He continued to play in and lead pipe bands such as the Highland Society Pipe Band, the Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band, and the Cabar Feidh Pipe Band. Jim taught many of the leading players in California including Campbell Naismith, Eric Rigler, Charles Lumsden, and many others. A student of the history of the piobaireachd, Jim has developed theories regarding the ancient martial music of the highlands prior to 1746. He has demonstrated a connection between the gathering tunes and the competition style 2/4 marches.