- Scottish Pipers' Association - the first 50 years... from the founding of the Association to 1970.
The Association was formally instituted on the 10th January 1920 and an extract from the minutes of that date shows that John MacDougall Gillies was the President, John MacKenzie was Vice President, Malcolm MacLean Currie was the Secretary and John MacLeod was the Treasurer. The committee members were James MacIvor, James Wilson, Alasdair Hutcheon, William Gray, D. Walker, H. Lothian, James Bairnett, Iain Macpherson, Robert Mann and Charles MacEachern. During 1920 the new Association held a Professional Competition, two Amateur Competitions and other events similar to those held before the War by the now obsolete Scottish Pipers' and Dancers' Union. Some of the piping trophies previously used by the SPDU were passed on to the new Association and these are still presented annually.
In the early 1920s meetings of the Club were held firstly in the back shop of Peter Henderson's premises in Renfrew Street but before long there was not enough room there to accommodate the numbers attending so meetings moved to an empty shop in Garscube Road.
During the 1920s some of the Association's competitions were held in the Pearce Institute, Govan. At first there was a Piobaireachd event for Amateurs, but not for Professionals, and March, Strathspey and Reel events for both groups. Tuning on the platform was brief and the judges were under cover.
By the 1930s the Club meetings had been moved to Room 7 of the Highlanders' Institute in Elmbank Street, where meetings were held on Saturday evenings from 7pm to 10pm. The competition venue at this time was the MacLellan Galleries in Sauchiehall Street. The judges were now in the open instead of under cover as in the early years.
For the 1933 Professional competition The Oban Times presented a Gold Medal for the Piobaireachd and this was won by PM David Ross.
James MacIvor retired as President due to ill health and from 1934 onwards Duncan MacMurchy, a native of Kintyre, took over.
In the 1920s it was possible to hold the Amateur events in the afternoon and follow with the Professional events in the evening but by the 1930s the number of competitors had increased and separate days were required. Only one hall and one or two judges were used so the events followed one after the other. In later years the starting times were advanced to 2pm and then 1pm and eventually the situation was reached when events would start in the morning or two events would run simultaneously.
The 1934 Professional competition took place at the MacLellan Galleries with a record entry and PM John MacDonald MBE, Inverness as the solo judge. The organisation was in the hands of President Duncan MacMurchy, Secretary Malcolm M Currie and Treasurer Hugh Kennedy. The platform stewards were PM David Gray, Clydebank, PM D. Campbell, Airdrie and PM John MacGregor Murray. The competition started at 3pm and 30 pipers played in the Piobaireachd. The standard was described as high. The Oban Times reported 'No greater compliment could be paid the pipers or the organizers of the competition than to see the majority of a crowded hall attentively giving ear to the exquisite playing of such a collection of champion pipers.' The Piobaireachd was followed by the March and the Strathspey and Reel. During the evening Miss Margaret Duncan sang Gaelic songs and Mr John Campbell contributed selections on the violin. How so much was fitted into one afternoon and evening is a mystery. John Wilson from Edinburgh won the piobaireachd playing Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon, David Ross was second, Roderick MacDonald, Glasgow Police was third and PM C Smith Black Watch was fourth. The March was won by Owen MacNiven, Islay, John Wilson was second, Roderick MacDonald third and Charles Scott, Glasgow Police was fourth. Peter MacLeod junior, Partick won the Strathspey and Reel, with the other prizes in that event going to John Wilson, Angus Campbell and David Ross.
In 1935 James MacIvor and Dr Alex Matheson were Hon Presidents, Duncan McMurchy was the President and Donald Campbell, Philip Melville, PM Hamish McColl, Hugh Kennedy Senior and Archd. McPhedran were vice-presidents. Hugh Kennedy M.A. B.Sc. was Treasurer and Malcolm MacLean Currie was Secretary. Peter MacLeod, Partick was the composer. There were two trustees, two auditors and a working committee of another 16 members.
At the 1935 Professional competition on December 21st in the MacLellan Galleries John MacDonald of the Glasgow Police won the Piobaireachd, with Robert Reid 2nd, Hugh Kennedy 3rd and John Wilson 4th. Duncan MacIntyre won the March, Archie McNab was 2nd, Peter MacLeod junior 3rd, John MacDonald 4th and John Wilson and Roddy MacDonald tied for 5th place. Peter MacLeod junior won the Strathspey and Reel, the other places going to John MacDonald 2nd, Archie MacNab 3rd, P. McCallum 4th and Duncan MacIntyre 5th. The Chairman was John Bartholomew Esq. Glen Orchid, the judges were PM William Taylor and PM Angus MacLean, and the platform stewards were PM D MacDougall of R G Lawrie Ltd, PM John MacGregor Murray and Owen McNiven..
On May 4th 1935 a special meeting took place. The occasion was the presentation of a handsome gold watch to the Hon President, James MacIvor. High tea was served and the President Mr Duncan MacMurchy, presided. He gave an interesting account of the formation of the Association. Fifteen years ago, he said, twelve gentlemen, among whom was Mr James MacIvor, met in the premises of Mr Peter Henderson, Renfrew Street. That was the embryo of the Scottish Pipers' Association which now had a membership of well over three figures. After the presentation and reply by Mr MacIvor, appreciative references were made by PM Archibald McPhedran, PM Hamish MacColl, PM David Gray, PM John MacGregor Murray, PM Malcolm MacLean Currie, Hon Secretary and Mr Hugh Kennedy Hon Treasurer. The remainder of the evening was devoted to an excellent programme of pipe music, the performers being PMs McPhedran and MacColl and pipers John MacKinnon, Archibald MacNab, Hector MacLean, Donald MacLean, Owen MacNiven, Roderick MacDonald, Philip Melville, and Hugh Kennedy.
In 1935 the autumn competition for amateurs was held in October at the Highlanders' Institute. There were 15 competitors for Piobaireachd and 26 for the light music. In the Piobaireachd event Robert Hepburn, a pupil of Archie McPhedran's, won the Farquhar MacRae Trophy, with Seumas MacNeill 2nd, Donald S Ramsay 3rd and Leslie Craig 4th. Seumas MacNeill won the Cameron Cup for the March; Leslie Craig was 2nd, M Lawther 3rd, Donald Ramsay 4th and William Downie 5th. The Chisholm Cup for the Strathspey and Reel went to William Kinnear with William Downie, A Braid, A McIntyre and Agnes Young taking 2nd, 3rd 4th and 5th prizes. Seumas MacNeill won the medal for most points. President Duncan MacMurchy was in the Chair and the judge was PM William Fergusson.
The AGM for 1936 took place in February as usual. Duncan MacMurchy was re-elected President, Vice Presidents were Donald Campbell, PM Hamish MacColl, Hugh Kennedy senior, Philip Melville and PM Archie McPhedran. Hugh Kennedy junior was elected as Treasurer and Malcolm MacLean Currie was re-elected Secretary for the fifteenth time.
At the 1936 Professional competition in the MacLellan Galleries on 26th December Robert Reid was the winner of the piobaireachd. The committee and prize winners were pictured together. (see picture) From left to right they were Duncan MacMurchy, Unknown, Robert Reid, Hector MacLean, William MacLean, Unknown, Duncan MacIntyre, Peter MacLeod junior, Archie MacNab, John Allan MacGee, Philip Melville, Hamish MacColl and John MacGregor Murray. A reporter present that day wrote that by 5pm the atmosphere was getting rather thick with tobacco smoke, in fact just the right atmosphere for a man to enjoy himself in, but it made it difficult to see the numbers on the competitors. In some cases the ribbons of the Glengarry hung down over the figures and some competitors never turned their backs to the audience so their numbers were not seen at all.
At the Amateur competition in either 1936 or 1937 the prize winners were photographed on stage at the Highlanders' Institute.(see picture) From left to right they were Hector MacFadyen (Pennyghael), Unknown, Robert G Hardie, Thomas Pearston, John Love, Unknown, I MacNab. Three of these young pipers went on to be Gold Medal winners.
The 1937 Professional competition took place at the MacLellan Galleries on 18th December. There were 25 entries for the Piobaireachd and 27 for the March and the Strathspey and Reel. These included one female competitor. Prize money in the Piobaireachd was £5, £4, £2, £1 and in each of the two light music events 50/-, 30/-, 15/-, 12/6. 10/-. John Wilson from Edinburgh won the Piobaireachd playing The Prince's Salute. As this was his second win in this event he won the Oban Times Medal outright, but another was provided by the Oban Times for the following year. The judges were PM William Taylor and Louis Beaton. John MacDonald of the Glasgow Police was presented with a pair of silver buckles as the prize for dress and deportment.
1938 started with A Grand Social Evening on January 15th at the Highlanders' Institute. There was piping from Owen MacNiven, Duncan MacIntyre, Hugh Kennedy, Hector MacLean, Donald MacLean, John Allan MacGee, Archie McPhedran, Robert Reid, Archie MacNab, John C. Johnstone, John MacDonald, Roderick MacDonald, D. MacCallum, Philip Melville and Helen Wilson plus songs in Gaelic and English. Others present included Ex-Inspector Donald Campbell, Airdrie, Major Manson, Canada, Percy Thomson, Glasgow, PMs Kenneth McGruer, Donald MacDougall, Hamish MacColl, Mr and Mrs Leslie Craig, and PM William Gray. Admission, including tea was 1/6d. In June the Association put on a concert at the Empire Exhibition and this included piobaireachd from Robert Reid and light music from Donald MacLean. Another concert was held in September and the Amateur competition took place on 8th October. The prize winners were John Love, Donald Macpherson, John MacFadyen, William Ramsay, Iain MacLeod, Eddie MacArdle, Robert Hardie and H. Wilson. The medal for most points went to Donald Macpherson.
Robert McFie, still a member and a vice-president in 2010, recalls a Club night in 1938 when Peter MacLeod junior played.
'I had been a pupil of Old Peter's from ten years of age; young Peter had been a family friend for many years, so we were well acquainted. The occasion was one Saturday evening in The Highlanders, Elmbank Street. Peter had been asked to play and to my twelve year old ears he was the best in the business. When he had finished playing his selection, he approached the very dignified Mr MacMurchy. The President consulted Mr Kennedy; the treasurer did not seem too sure; Malcolm Currie's moustache bristled more fiercely than ever. In any event Peter got the go ahead. Peter called me to the front of the room to stand beside the big table. I knew what I was expected to do, after all we had done this dozens of times, but up till then all the performances had taken place in the kitchen in Exeter Drive or in our kitchen in Mansfield Street. Our act was for me to stand in front of Peter and play the right hand while he played the left hand. That evening we played six parts of Cameronian Rant and six parts of Mrs MacPherson of Inveran. This was received with great applause by the younger element of the day. The 'establishment' were mildly amused. Peter and yours truly were invited to give repeat performances, but only on very rare occasions.'
One of the Saturday evening meetings was reported in the Oban Times in November. There were selections from Donald MacLean, Hector MacLean, PM Hamish MacColl, H. MacRae, M. MacPhail, John MacDonald, J G MacKenzie and others plus a piobaireachd from PM Robert Reid. The Professional competition for 1938 was again held in December at the MacLellan Galleries and it was reported that there had been 23 entries for the Piobaireachd and 20 had played. The judges were Dr Colin Caird and Mr Neil Ramsay and the competition went on until well after 10pm. The winners in the Piobaireachd were Owen MacNiven, PM John MacDonald, Glasgow Police, Archie MacNab, Glasgow Police, Roderick MacDonald, Glasgow Police. In the March, 1st Robert Reid, 2nd John MacDonald, 3rd John Wilson, 4th Donald MacLean, Seaforth Highlanders, and 5th John Allan MacGee. In the Strathspey and Reel, 1st John Wilson, 2nd John MacDonald, 3rd John C Johnstone, Glasgow Police, 4th Robert Reid, 5th Donald MacLean. The judges thought Thomas Pearston of Glasgow, the youngest competitor, a very promising player worthy of special mention. Seumas MacNeill, Glasgow and John C Johnstone, Islay were also mentioned as very promising young players of real musical ability.
When the War started the following year, the Professional competition was suspended but the Scottish Pipers' Association continued to meet for their Club Nights and the Amateur/Juvenile competitions continued as before. At the 1939 AGM all the officials were re-elected. At the first Club Night of the year the pipers were Robert Reid, J. MacKenzie, Hector MacLean, Mr MacDonald and Mr MacPhee. The president Duncan MacMurchy was unable to be present, having falling victim to the prevailing colds, but among those who were there was Mr Duncan MacFadyen, the well know Clyde Harbourmaster, with his two young boys who were keen pipers and were making a name for themselves among the juniors. The MacFadyen family was to have a long association with the SPA. In February the SPA put on a concert of piping in which one of the highlights was the playing of selections by a quintet, PM Robert Reid, Hector MacLean, Owen MacNiven, Donald MacLean and Robert Hardie. The Oban Times reporter was there and wrote, 'At tea I met a very young friend who has hopes of being some day a great piper, Master John MacFadyen, whose father, a Mull man, is one of the Clyde harbourmasters. I liked two things about this boy, his ability to talk without shyness and his piping enthusiasm. He has entered for the April Amateur Competition of the Association and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his cousin Hector MacFadyen who is already a winner. Youngsters like this find the Association a very real help and make the most of the regular Saturday evening meetings in the Institute where they can hear the best pipers in the country.'
At the competition on April 1st the winner of the MacDougall Gillies trophy for piobaireachd was Donald Macpherson. Robert Hardie was 2nd, R Frater 3rd and Thomas Pearston 4th. The Slow March and the Jig were both won by Robert Hardie, with other places taken by Donald Macpherson, A. Lee, Thomas Pearston, Iain MacLeod and Robert McFie. The March and the Strathspey and Reel events were confined to pipers under the age of 16. Both were won by R Frater with other prizes going to John MacFadyen, Robert McFie, John Love, Angus MacLeod and R Morrison. At the following week's Club Night several of the prize winners were among those who played. The pipers were Robert Hardie, Robert McFie, Donald Macpherson, John G MacKenzie, Owen MacNiven, Iain MacLeod, Iain MacFadyen, Robert Hepburn and Robert Reid.
Bob McFie has vivid memories of the competition. He says, "I remember that particular evening clearly. The 'hard times' were nearly over; my father was working and could afford, (just) the two shillings and sixpence per event for my entry to the Juvenile marches and strathspey and reel. In those days the competitions were held upstairs in the gym at Elmbank Street, and tuning, setting up and other activities were carried out in the lower parts of the building. After paying the admission fee and finding out when I would be playing, my father and I made our way up to the gym. When I was sure that he was involved in deep discussion with his cronies, I made my way to the basement. The reason for my haste was that this was where we played our continuously running game of football, which some of us considered to be a very important part of the various competitions. The 'ball' was always of the same manufacture and consisted of rolled up bits of the Evening Citizen, News or Times, held together, and in shape, by bits of string. Being of this construction, the ball caused little damage, indeed the only damage ever suffered was by the participants. On the night being considered, all of the footballers, and some of the spectators were members of the Glasgow Shepherds Pipe Band. Among those taking part were Willie Waugh, 'Ginger' MacLean, Eddie McArdle, John MacFadyen, Angus MacLeod, and Goliath, as I was known to that group. Well, I had just had my thirteenth birthday and was at least one foot or more smaller than any of the others. Donald MacPherson was missing as I recall, he was probably getting his pipes going, or more likely, chatting-up someone, somewhere. The basement soccer was quite illegal and obviously sentries were posted to warn of the approach of the Club Secretary, Malcolm Currie, or our 'pipey' Archie McPhedran, either of whom would have frightened the devil himself. Anyway, at one point, my father and assorted parents, agents etc. appeared on the scene. The game stopped immediately and great interest was taken by the players in the patterns in the floorboards and ceiling. I was manhandled to the door. 'Where are your pipes? You're on in twenty minutes.' I protested that the marches weren't on until… 'You're playing in the jigs!' I then made the mistake of patiently explaining that the jigs were for the Men, the Amateurs. 'It's a free competition!' How can a 13 year old argue with that kind of logic? It appeared that there had been a flood of entries from Amateurs, and also the juvenile ranks, when it was announced that there was no entry fee for the jig competition. I played the Jig of Slurs and later played in the marches and the strathspey and reel. Later still, during the prize giving, it was announced that I was fourth in the amateur jig competition. This was greeted by more than the usual amount of applause, particularly from the Partick contingent, which included a variety of MacLeods, Macphersons, McFies and supporters from the Burgh. I collected my prize, a practice chanter made by Piob Mor, Glasgow and as I stepped down from the platform, a big man seated near the end of the third row said, 'Well done young Robert, let me see your prize.' I said 'Thank you Mr MacDonald', and handed him the chanter. He examined the bores for flaws and marks, checked foe concentricity and, after failing to find any faults, the Pipe Major of the Glasgow Police said, 'They've given you a good one, they weren't throwing it away anyway.' As he handed it back to me he said, 'That will last you a long time.' He was right. It's still in my pipe box."
In May the Association put on a lecture at which Mr G. F. Ross took as his subject Piobaireachds and how they should be played. The talk was followed by a discussion. In September a Social Evening was held.
For the 1933 Professional competition The Oban Times presented a Gold Medal for the Piobaireachd and this was won by PM David Ross.
James MacIvor retired as President due to ill health and from 1934 onwards Duncan MacMurchy, a native of Kintyre, took over.
In the 1920s it was possible to hold the Amateur events in the afternoon and follow with the Professional events in the evening but by the 1930s the number of competitors had increased and separate days were required. Only one hall and one or two judges were used so the events followed one after the other. In later years the starting times were advanced to 2pm and then 1pm and eventually the situation was reached when events would start in the morning or two events would run simultaneously.
The 1934 Professional competition took place at the MacLellan Galleries with a record entry and PM John MacDonald MBE, Inverness as the solo judge. The organisation was in the hands of President Duncan MacMurchy, Secretary Malcolm M Currie and Treasurer Hugh Kennedy. The platform stewards were PM David Gray, Clydebank, PM D. Campbell, Airdrie and PM John MacGregor Murray. The competition started at 3pm and 30 pipers played in the Piobaireachd. The standard was described as high. The Oban Times reported 'No greater compliment could be paid the pipers or the organizers of the competition than to see the majority of a crowded hall attentively giving ear to the exquisite playing of such a collection of champion pipers.' The Piobaireachd was followed by the March and the Strathspey and Reel. During the evening Miss Margaret Duncan sang Gaelic songs and Mr John Campbell contributed selections on the violin. How so much was fitted into one afternoon and evening is a mystery. John Wilson from Edinburgh won the piobaireachd playing Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon, David Ross was second, Roderick MacDonald, Glasgow Police was third and PM C Smith Black Watch was fourth. The March was won by Owen MacNiven, Islay, John Wilson was second, Roderick MacDonald third and Charles Scott, Glasgow Police was fourth. Peter MacLeod junior, Partick won the Strathspey and Reel, with the other prizes in that event going to John Wilson, Angus Campbell and David Ross.
In 1935 James MacIvor and Dr Alex Matheson were Hon Presidents, Duncan McMurchy was the President and Donald Campbell, Philip Melville, PM Hamish McColl, Hugh Kennedy Senior and Archd. McPhedran were vice-presidents. Hugh Kennedy M.A. B.Sc. was Treasurer and Malcolm MacLean Currie was Secretary. Peter MacLeod, Partick was the composer. There were two trustees, two auditors and a working committee of another 16 members.
At the 1935 Professional competition on December 21st in the MacLellan Galleries John MacDonald of the Glasgow Police won the Piobaireachd, with Robert Reid 2nd, Hugh Kennedy 3rd and John Wilson 4th. Duncan MacIntyre won the March, Archie McNab was 2nd, Peter MacLeod junior 3rd, John MacDonald 4th and John Wilson and Roddy MacDonald tied for 5th place. Peter MacLeod junior won the Strathspey and Reel, the other places going to John MacDonald 2nd, Archie MacNab 3rd, P. McCallum 4th and Duncan MacIntyre 5th. The Chairman was John Bartholomew Esq. Glen Orchid, the judges were PM William Taylor and PM Angus MacLean, and the platform stewards were PM D MacDougall of R G Lawrie Ltd, PM John MacGregor Murray and Owen McNiven..
On May 4th 1935 a special meeting took place. The occasion was the presentation of a handsome gold watch to the Hon President, James MacIvor. High tea was served and the President Mr Duncan MacMurchy, presided. He gave an interesting account of the formation of the Association. Fifteen years ago, he said, twelve gentlemen, among whom was Mr James MacIvor, met in the premises of Mr Peter Henderson, Renfrew Street. That was the embryo of the Scottish Pipers' Association which now had a membership of well over three figures. After the presentation and reply by Mr MacIvor, appreciative references were made by PM Archibald McPhedran, PM Hamish MacColl, PM David Gray, PM John MacGregor Murray, PM Malcolm MacLean Currie, Hon Secretary and Mr Hugh Kennedy Hon Treasurer. The remainder of the evening was devoted to an excellent programme of pipe music, the performers being PMs McPhedran and MacColl and pipers John MacKinnon, Archibald MacNab, Hector MacLean, Donald MacLean, Owen MacNiven, Roderick MacDonald, Philip Melville, and Hugh Kennedy.
In 1935 the autumn competition for amateurs was held in October at the Highlanders' Institute. There were 15 competitors for Piobaireachd and 26 for the light music. In the Piobaireachd event Robert Hepburn, a pupil of Archie McPhedran's, won the Farquhar MacRae Trophy, with Seumas MacNeill 2nd, Donald S Ramsay 3rd and Leslie Craig 4th. Seumas MacNeill won the Cameron Cup for the March; Leslie Craig was 2nd, M Lawther 3rd, Donald Ramsay 4th and William Downie 5th. The Chisholm Cup for the Strathspey and Reel went to William Kinnear with William Downie, A Braid, A McIntyre and Agnes Young taking 2nd, 3rd 4th and 5th prizes. Seumas MacNeill won the medal for most points. President Duncan MacMurchy was in the Chair and the judge was PM William Fergusson.
The AGM for 1936 took place in February as usual. Duncan MacMurchy was re-elected President, Vice Presidents were Donald Campbell, PM Hamish MacColl, Hugh Kennedy senior, Philip Melville and PM Archie McPhedran. Hugh Kennedy junior was elected as Treasurer and Malcolm MacLean Currie was re-elected Secretary for the fifteenth time.
At the 1936 Professional competition in the MacLellan Galleries on 26th December Robert Reid was the winner of the piobaireachd. The committee and prize winners were pictured together. (see picture) From left to right they were Duncan MacMurchy, Unknown, Robert Reid, Hector MacLean, William MacLean, Unknown, Duncan MacIntyre, Peter MacLeod junior, Archie MacNab, John Allan MacGee, Philip Melville, Hamish MacColl and John MacGregor Murray. A reporter present that day wrote that by 5pm the atmosphere was getting rather thick with tobacco smoke, in fact just the right atmosphere for a man to enjoy himself in, but it made it difficult to see the numbers on the competitors. In some cases the ribbons of the Glengarry hung down over the figures and some competitors never turned their backs to the audience so their numbers were not seen at all.
At the Amateur competition in either 1936 or 1937 the prize winners were photographed on stage at the Highlanders' Institute.(see picture) From left to right they were Hector MacFadyen (Pennyghael), Unknown, Robert G Hardie, Thomas Pearston, John Love, Unknown, I MacNab. Three of these young pipers went on to be Gold Medal winners.
The 1937 Professional competition took place at the MacLellan Galleries on 18th December. There were 25 entries for the Piobaireachd and 27 for the March and the Strathspey and Reel. These included one female competitor. Prize money in the Piobaireachd was £5, £4, £2, £1 and in each of the two light music events 50/-, 30/-, 15/-, 12/6. 10/-. John Wilson from Edinburgh won the Piobaireachd playing The Prince's Salute. As this was his second win in this event he won the Oban Times Medal outright, but another was provided by the Oban Times for the following year. The judges were PM William Taylor and Louis Beaton. John MacDonald of the Glasgow Police was presented with a pair of silver buckles as the prize for dress and deportment.
1938 started with A Grand Social Evening on January 15th at the Highlanders' Institute. There was piping from Owen MacNiven, Duncan MacIntyre, Hugh Kennedy, Hector MacLean, Donald MacLean, John Allan MacGee, Archie McPhedran, Robert Reid, Archie MacNab, John C. Johnstone, John MacDonald, Roderick MacDonald, D. MacCallum, Philip Melville and Helen Wilson plus songs in Gaelic and English. Others present included Ex-Inspector Donald Campbell, Airdrie, Major Manson, Canada, Percy Thomson, Glasgow, PMs Kenneth McGruer, Donald MacDougall, Hamish MacColl, Mr and Mrs Leslie Craig, and PM William Gray. Admission, including tea was 1/6d. In June the Association put on a concert at the Empire Exhibition and this included piobaireachd from Robert Reid and light music from Donald MacLean. Another concert was held in September and the Amateur competition took place on 8th October. The prize winners were John Love, Donald Macpherson, John MacFadyen, William Ramsay, Iain MacLeod, Eddie MacArdle, Robert Hardie and H. Wilson. The medal for most points went to Donald Macpherson.
Robert McFie, still a member and a vice-president in 2010, recalls a Club night in 1938 when Peter MacLeod junior played.
'I had been a pupil of Old Peter's from ten years of age; young Peter had been a family friend for many years, so we were well acquainted. The occasion was one Saturday evening in The Highlanders, Elmbank Street. Peter had been asked to play and to my twelve year old ears he was the best in the business. When he had finished playing his selection, he approached the very dignified Mr MacMurchy. The President consulted Mr Kennedy; the treasurer did not seem too sure; Malcolm Currie's moustache bristled more fiercely than ever. In any event Peter got the go ahead. Peter called me to the front of the room to stand beside the big table. I knew what I was expected to do, after all we had done this dozens of times, but up till then all the performances had taken place in the kitchen in Exeter Drive or in our kitchen in Mansfield Street. Our act was for me to stand in front of Peter and play the right hand while he played the left hand. That evening we played six parts of Cameronian Rant and six parts of Mrs MacPherson of Inveran. This was received with great applause by the younger element of the day. The 'establishment' were mildly amused. Peter and yours truly were invited to give repeat performances, but only on very rare occasions.'
One of the Saturday evening meetings was reported in the Oban Times in November. There were selections from Donald MacLean, Hector MacLean, PM Hamish MacColl, H. MacRae, M. MacPhail, John MacDonald, J G MacKenzie and others plus a piobaireachd from PM Robert Reid. The Professional competition for 1938 was again held in December at the MacLellan Galleries and it was reported that there had been 23 entries for the Piobaireachd and 20 had played. The judges were Dr Colin Caird and Mr Neil Ramsay and the competition went on until well after 10pm. The winners in the Piobaireachd were Owen MacNiven, PM John MacDonald, Glasgow Police, Archie MacNab, Glasgow Police, Roderick MacDonald, Glasgow Police. In the March, 1st Robert Reid, 2nd John MacDonald, 3rd John Wilson, 4th Donald MacLean, Seaforth Highlanders, and 5th John Allan MacGee. In the Strathspey and Reel, 1st John Wilson, 2nd John MacDonald, 3rd John C Johnstone, Glasgow Police, 4th Robert Reid, 5th Donald MacLean. The judges thought Thomas Pearston of Glasgow, the youngest competitor, a very promising player worthy of special mention. Seumas MacNeill, Glasgow and John C Johnstone, Islay were also mentioned as very promising young players of real musical ability.
When the War started the following year, the Professional competition was suspended but the Scottish Pipers' Association continued to meet for their Club Nights and the Amateur/Juvenile competitions continued as before. At the 1939 AGM all the officials were re-elected. At the first Club Night of the year the pipers were Robert Reid, J. MacKenzie, Hector MacLean, Mr MacDonald and Mr MacPhee. The president Duncan MacMurchy was unable to be present, having falling victim to the prevailing colds, but among those who were there was Mr Duncan MacFadyen, the well know Clyde Harbourmaster, with his two young boys who were keen pipers and were making a name for themselves among the juniors. The MacFadyen family was to have a long association with the SPA. In February the SPA put on a concert of piping in which one of the highlights was the playing of selections by a quintet, PM Robert Reid, Hector MacLean, Owen MacNiven, Donald MacLean and Robert Hardie. The Oban Times reporter was there and wrote, 'At tea I met a very young friend who has hopes of being some day a great piper, Master John MacFadyen, whose father, a Mull man, is one of the Clyde harbourmasters. I liked two things about this boy, his ability to talk without shyness and his piping enthusiasm. He has entered for the April Amateur Competition of the Association and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his cousin Hector MacFadyen who is already a winner. Youngsters like this find the Association a very real help and make the most of the regular Saturday evening meetings in the Institute where they can hear the best pipers in the country.'
At the competition on April 1st the winner of the MacDougall Gillies trophy for piobaireachd was Donald Macpherson. Robert Hardie was 2nd, R Frater 3rd and Thomas Pearston 4th. The Slow March and the Jig were both won by Robert Hardie, with other places taken by Donald Macpherson, A. Lee, Thomas Pearston, Iain MacLeod and Robert McFie. The March and the Strathspey and Reel events were confined to pipers under the age of 16. Both were won by R Frater with other prizes going to John MacFadyen, Robert McFie, John Love, Angus MacLeod and R Morrison. At the following week's Club Night several of the prize winners were among those who played. The pipers were Robert Hardie, Robert McFie, Donald Macpherson, John G MacKenzie, Owen MacNiven, Iain MacLeod, Iain MacFadyen, Robert Hepburn and Robert Reid.
Bob McFie has vivid memories of the competition. He says, "I remember that particular evening clearly. The 'hard times' were nearly over; my father was working and could afford, (just) the two shillings and sixpence per event for my entry to the Juvenile marches and strathspey and reel. In those days the competitions were held upstairs in the gym at Elmbank Street, and tuning, setting up and other activities were carried out in the lower parts of the building. After paying the admission fee and finding out when I would be playing, my father and I made our way up to the gym. When I was sure that he was involved in deep discussion with his cronies, I made my way to the basement. The reason for my haste was that this was where we played our continuously running game of football, which some of us considered to be a very important part of the various competitions. The 'ball' was always of the same manufacture and consisted of rolled up bits of the Evening Citizen, News or Times, held together, and in shape, by bits of string. Being of this construction, the ball caused little damage, indeed the only damage ever suffered was by the participants. On the night being considered, all of the footballers, and some of the spectators were members of the Glasgow Shepherds Pipe Band. Among those taking part were Willie Waugh, 'Ginger' MacLean, Eddie McArdle, John MacFadyen, Angus MacLeod, and Goliath, as I was known to that group. Well, I had just had my thirteenth birthday and was at least one foot or more smaller than any of the others. Donald MacPherson was missing as I recall, he was probably getting his pipes going, or more likely, chatting-up someone, somewhere. The basement soccer was quite illegal and obviously sentries were posted to warn of the approach of the Club Secretary, Malcolm Currie, or our 'pipey' Archie McPhedran, either of whom would have frightened the devil himself. Anyway, at one point, my father and assorted parents, agents etc. appeared on the scene. The game stopped immediately and great interest was taken by the players in the patterns in the floorboards and ceiling. I was manhandled to the door. 'Where are your pipes? You're on in twenty minutes.' I protested that the marches weren't on until… 'You're playing in the jigs!' I then made the mistake of patiently explaining that the jigs were for the Men, the Amateurs. 'It's a free competition!' How can a 13 year old argue with that kind of logic? It appeared that there had been a flood of entries from Amateurs, and also the juvenile ranks, when it was announced that there was no entry fee for the jig competition. I played the Jig of Slurs and later played in the marches and the strathspey and reel. Later still, during the prize giving, it was announced that I was fourth in the amateur jig competition. This was greeted by more than the usual amount of applause, particularly from the Partick contingent, which included a variety of MacLeods, Macphersons, McFies and supporters from the Burgh. I collected my prize, a practice chanter made by Piob Mor, Glasgow and as I stepped down from the platform, a big man seated near the end of the third row said, 'Well done young Robert, let me see your prize.' I said 'Thank you Mr MacDonald', and handed him the chanter. He examined the bores for flaws and marks, checked foe concentricity and, after failing to find any faults, the Pipe Major of the Glasgow Police said, 'They've given you a good one, they weren't throwing it away anyway.' As he handed it back to me he said, 'That will last you a long time.' He was right. It's still in my pipe box."
In May the Association put on a lecture at which Mr G. F. Ross took as his subject Piobaireachds and how they should be played. The talk was followed by a discussion. In September a Social Evening was held.
In November the Association lost one of its life members with the sudden death of John MacGregor Murray, who died at his home 90 Great Western Road. He was born in 1879 or 1880 at Portmahomack, Tain, Ross-shire, son of Donald Murray, a farmer and Annie MacGregor. His piping tuition was from McLeod, Tain. He was one of the oldest members of the SPA and contributed generously to the prize lists of the various piping competitions and gave his active support to everything which had for its object the fostering of pipe music. He was piper to Clan Gregor and was involved with many other piping and Highland associations. His remains were interred at Cove, Dunbartonshire and at the funeral the Association was represented by Mr Hector MacLean vice-president and Hon Pipe Major. He played a lament and placed a wreath on the grave on behalf of the Association. At the next Club Night the President Duncan MacMurchy spoke in tribute, a lament was played and was followed by five minutes silence.
The Association President John MacDougall Gillies died quite suddenly at his home from a stroke on the 17th December 1925, at the age of sixty-nine and James MacIvor then became the President. The meeting place was now in a small hall attached to a printer's workshop in Thistle Street, Garnethill. James MacIvor was a master joiner in Govan and had been a pupil of Gillies and a very successful solo prize winner. He always had his silver-mounted pipes available for anyone to play. Meetings were held on Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to suit out-of town members. Some of the pipers who attended regularly at this time were John MacLachlan, Alastair Hutcheon, William Gray, John Mackenzie, John MacColl, William Fergusson, William MacLean, Ronald Meldrum, lain Macpherson (Senior), Archie MacNeill (the blind piper), and William Barrie, who was described as a talented young pupil of Robert Reid.
The 1926 Annual General Meeting which was held on Saturday 25th December at 9 Thistle Street was reported in the newspaper. Mr. James MacIvor, Govan was re-elected President while Pipe Majors William MacLean, John MacKenzie, Archd. McPhedran and Alex Hutcheon were elected vice-presidents. Mr. Malcolm Currie was re-elected Secretary and Pipe Major William Gray was elected Treasurer in place of Robert Mann who had retired. The President reported that the balance sheet was very satisfactory and membership was still on the increase. The annual competition held in the Pearce Institute, Govan in November had been very successful. The meeting decided to hold the annual competitions for the John MacDougall Gillies and Farquhar MacRae trophies in October and it was further decided to hold about the first Saturday in May, a competition for open piobaireachds, marches, strathspeys and reels and slow marches. At the same time there would be a competition for semi-amateurs in marches, strathspeys and reels. The competition would in all probability be held in the MacLellan Galleries. It was a long time since open piobaireachd playing was held within doors in Glasgow and many members of the Association and others who remembered the old 'Waterloo Rooms' days when audiences taxed the capacity of the rooms to the utmost were desirous of resuscitating the spirit of these times.
On 14th April 1928 a competition was held at the MacLellan Galleries. There were two events for boys and girls aged 16 and under- a March and a Strathspey and Reel; three events for Professionals- a March, a Strathspey and Reel and a Slow March; and two events for Amateurs who had never won a prize in an Open Competition- a March and a Strathspey and Reel. In the professional events the prize money in the March and Strathspey and Reel events ranged from £2 for first to 5shillings for 5th. For the Slow March first was 30 shillings and 5th 5 shillings. The juveniles and amateurs received medals or books or chanters. Three Glasgow bagpipe makers were among the donors with Peter Henderson giving a Silver Medal, and both R G Lawrie and Duncan MacRae giving pipe chanters. All three had advertisements in the programme as did other local businesses. Cash donations and book prizes were given by committee members. The judges were PM James Wilson 2nd Btn HLI, ex-Pipe Major D MacDougall, 8th Scottish Rifles and Pipe Major Gavin Robertson Corporation Tramway Pipe Band. Another competition was held in December 1928. Club Meetings in 1928 were still held at 9 Thistle Street but the time was now from 6pm to 9pm every Saturday. William Gray and Malcolm MacLean Currie were still the Treasurer and Secretary.
The 1926 Annual General Meeting which was held on Saturday 25th December at 9 Thistle Street was reported in the newspaper. Mr. James MacIvor, Govan was re-elected President while Pipe Majors William MacLean, John MacKenzie, Archd. McPhedran and Alex Hutcheon were elected vice-presidents. Mr. Malcolm Currie was re-elected Secretary and Pipe Major William Gray was elected Treasurer in place of Robert Mann who had retired. The President reported that the balance sheet was very satisfactory and membership was still on the increase. The annual competition held in the Pearce Institute, Govan in November had been very successful. The meeting decided to hold the annual competitions for the John MacDougall Gillies and Farquhar MacRae trophies in October and it was further decided to hold about the first Saturday in May, a competition for open piobaireachds, marches, strathspeys and reels and slow marches. At the same time there would be a competition for semi-amateurs in marches, strathspeys and reels. The competition would in all probability be held in the MacLellan Galleries. It was a long time since open piobaireachd playing was held within doors in Glasgow and many members of the Association and others who remembered the old 'Waterloo Rooms' days when audiences taxed the capacity of the rooms to the utmost were desirous of resuscitating the spirit of these times.
On 14th April 1928 a competition was held at the MacLellan Galleries. There were two events for boys and girls aged 16 and under- a March and a Strathspey and Reel; three events for Professionals- a March, a Strathspey and Reel and a Slow March; and two events for Amateurs who had never won a prize in an Open Competition- a March and a Strathspey and Reel. In the professional events the prize money in the March and Strathspey and Reel events ranged from £2 for first to 5shillings for 5th. For the Slow March first was 30 shillings and 5th 5 shillings. The juveniles and amateurs received medals or books or chanters. Three Glasgow bagpipe makers were among the donors with Peter Henderson giving a Silver Medal, and both R G Lawrie and Duncan MacRae giving pipe chanters. All three had advertisements in the programme as did other local businesses. Cash donations and book prizes were given by committee members. The judges were PM James Wilson 2nd Btn HLI, ex-Pipe Major D MacDougall, 8th Scottish Rifles and Pipe Major Gavin Robertson Corporation Tramway Pipe Band. Another competition was held in December 1928. Club Meetings in 1928 were still held at 9 Thistle Street but the time was now from 6pm to 9pm every Saturday. William Gray and Malcolm MacLean Currie were still the Treasurer and Secretary.
One of the competitions in 1923 took place at the Pearce Institute in April and was reported in the Oban Times. The results were:
Open Marches- George S McLennan, late PM Gordon Highlanders, 2. John MacDonald, Glasgow Police, 3. PM R Reid 7th HLI, 4. PM William Gray, Glasgow Police, 5. John MacAskill, Glasgow Police.
Strathspey and Reel- 1. George S McLennan, late PM Gordon Highlanders, 2. Angus Campbell, 3. PM William Gray, Glasgow Police, 4. John MacAskill, Glasgow Police, 5. John MacDonald, Glasgow Police.
Jigs- 1. George S McLennan, late PM Gordon Highlanders, 2. John MacDonald, Glasgow Police, 3. PM William Gray, Glasgow Police.
Most Points Overall- 1. George S McLennan, late PM Gordon Highlanders, 2. John MacDonald, Glasgow Police, 3. PM William Gray, Glasgow Police.
Semi-amateur Piping: Marches- 1. Hugh Kennedy, Glasgow, 2. J. Thomson, Glasgow, 3. J. Keir, Alexandria, 4. Cameron Hutchison, Dalmuir.
Strathspey and Reel- 1. Donald MacNeill, Townhead, 2. Ronald MacDonald, Renton, 3. A. McDermid, Glasgow, 4. A. McColl, Bridgeton, Glasgow.
The Chairman for the day was John Kaid MacLean.
Open Marches- George S McLennan, late PM Gordon Highlanders, 2. John MacDonald, Glasgow Police, 3. PM R Reid 7th HLI, 4. PM William Gray, Glasgow Police, 5. John MacAskill, Glasgow Police.
Strathspey and Reel- 1. George S McLennan, late PM Gordon Highlanders, 2. Angus Campbell, 3. PM William Gray, Glasgow Police, 4. John MacAskill, Glasgow Police, 5. John MacDonald, Glasgow Police.
Jigs- 1. George S McLennan, late PM Gordon Highlanders, 2. John MacDonald, Glasgow Police, 3. PM William Gray, Glasgow Police.
Most Points Overall- 1. George S McLennan, late PM Gordon Highlanders, 2. John MacDonald, Glasgow Police, 3. PM William Gray, Glasgow Police.
Semi-amateur Piping: Marches- 1. Hugh Kennedy, Glasgow, 2. J. Thomson, Glasgow, 3. J. Keir, Alexandria, 4. Cameron Hutchison, Dalmuir.
Strathspey and Reel- 1. Donald MacNeill, Townhead, 2. Ronald MacDonald, Renton, 3. A. McDermid, Glasgow, 4. A. McColl, Bridgeton, Glasgow.
The Chairman for the day was John Kaid MacLean.
At the committee meeting on Saturday December 9th the handsome silver and ivory set of bagpipes belonging to the late John MacGregor Murray was handed over to the Scottish Pipers' Association by PM Archie MacPhedran on behalf of Mr MacGregor Murray's relatives. The secretary was instructed to write and thank the relatives for the handsome gift which had been the property of one of the oldest members of the Association. The bagpipes were accepted by the President Mr Duncan MacMurchy. An engraved silver plaque was made for the bass drone and this reads 'Presented to the Scottish Pipers' Association in memory of the late John MacGregor Murray, piper to the Clan Gregor 1939.' John MacGregor Murray had a large collection of photographs and these too were given to the Association but some years later were passed on to the College of Piping.
John MacGregor Murray
with pipes
with pipes
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click image to enlarge
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