Los Angeles Pipe Band is generally known as the Los Angeles Scottish Pipe Band or LA Scots. It was founded in 1961 by Pipe Major Jimmy Thompson, Pipe Sergeant Ian MacDonald and Drum Sergeant Charlie Capperauld. The original band competed successfully through the 1960s and early 1970s, reaching what is now regarded as Grade 1 level before becoming inactive after 1974.

The band was revived in 1991 by combining Beach Cities Pipe Band and Scottish Heritage Pipe Band. Under Pipe Major Scott MacDonald, LA Scots became one of the leading American pipe bands, winning the Grade 2 World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow in 1997, the first United States band to achieve that title. It was upgraded to Grade 1 in 1998 and later returned to Grade 2.

Today, LA Scots remains one of the best-known pipe bands in the western United States, competing, performing and representing Southern California in the wider international pipe band scene.