Can you keep a steady beat? If so, it's not that hard. The drums in a pipe band are a bit different from the drums in most bands, for the reason that they provide the dynamics of the band. Basically, since the pipes can't get louder or softer, the drums do.
The main things that are required to be a good drummer are:
1) The ability to internalize and keep a beat.
2) The desire to hit things and make noise.
3) The willingness to practice.
I suspect that anyone with 2 and 3 can become a competent drummer and an important part of a band. You can start developing 1 by learning to identify the beat when you listen to music and playing along with it.
Check with your local pipe band and see if they teach aspiring drummers; many bands do free lessons for pipers, provided the pipers will march with them.
--Scott
"MacDonald the piper stood up in the pulpit,
He made the pipes skirl out the music divine."
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