John MacDonald of Inverness - The Piobaireachd Society · John MacDonald part 1 (timeline) 1 John MacDonald of Inverness. This is Part 1 of a collection of facts in the life of Pipe

John MacDonald part 1 (timeline) 1

John MacDonald of Inverness.

This is Part 1 of a collection of facts in the life of Pipe Major John MacDonald MBE

of Inverness. It is meant to be a bare recital of events in chronological order. Little is

said about John’s music, or about impressions of his teaching. For some details of his

family see Part 2. For some information about the Army class for Pipe-majors, see

Part 3. For a list of books etc, see Part 4.

1865 Born at Glentruim, Laggan, Invernessshire, 26 July 1865.1 Father, Alexander

MacDonald (1836-1883). Mother, Jane Lamont. They married 13 June 1861, at

Kingussie. Alexander, a famous piper, contributed piobaireachd to W. (‘Uilleam’)

Ross’s collection.2 According to NP, JM received most of his early tuition from his

father and uncles William3 and Duncan.

John was a Gaelic speaker,4 but the extent to which he used the language once he had

moved away from the Kingussie area is doubtful.5

1871 As a boy aged 7, with family, The Keepers House, Glentruim, Laggan.6

1881 Aged 16, ‘scholar’, living at Cuppieshill, Urquhart, Moray.7 The household

includes JM’s mother and six brothers and sisters, but his father and oldest sister

Isabella were living elsewhere at this time – Westerton House, Elgin, father being

described as ‘gamekeeper’.

n.d. Evidently competing regularly.8 9

1887-91 Gamekeeper10

and piper to L. A. MacPherson at Glentromie Lodge,

Kingussie.11

1890 Gold Medal, Inverness, September. JM later recalled much later what tune he

played, but accounts differ.12

1891 Aged 25, living at Glentromie Lodge, Kingussie. His sister Jane aged 18 was

living in the same house.13

1891-4 Gamekeeper to L. A. MacPherson, Corrimony, Glenuquhart.14

1894-7 Fisherman and piper to James Grant, Glen Grant, Rothes.15

1897 Gold Medal, Oban, according to NP. 16

1899 February 17. Joined the 1st Volunteer Battalion Cameron Highlanders,17

18

as

Pipe-major.19

1901 Aged 35, living at 16 Stephens Brae, Inverness. ‘Serg[ean]t Piper Cam[eron]

Vol[unteers].20

JM’s first town residence documented so far,21

evidently rented

accomodation.22

But he also spent time at Ferndern, Craigellachie. He wrote letters

from there in 1904 (see below) and 1908 (Garscube Papers, DC80/374).


1901 July (c.) Applied for position of Head Keeper to Mr Findlay of Aberlour. 23

1903 JM’s first clasp at Inverness.24

n.d. Some manuscript materials may date from around this time – 12 tunes

(piobaireachd) some handwritten, some cut from printed books with hand annotations,

now mounted in separate cardboard folders.25

1904 13 Sept 1904. First Piobaireachd Society competition, Oban, won by JM.26

Results and tunes played are said to be on record, John’s being The King’s Taxes.27

The prize included a gold medal and there was a delay in awarding as it was not ready

on the day, the Society not having yet settled on the design. As late as November

1904 John wrote two stiff and business-like letters complaining about the delay.28

1905 In this year Archibald Campbell (‘Kilberry’) was having lessons from John

MacDonald.29

So too was James MacKillop.30

1907 Late accounts imply he visited India and elsewhere, but this seems unlikely.31

1907 References to piping tutors paid by the Piobaireachd Society. May 1907,

announcing that classes have been arranged for Oban, Glasgow, Inverness,32

– J.

MacColl and J. MacDougall Gillies, £7-10-0 each.33

This seems to be the first record

of such teaching.34

JM taught classes in Inverness apparently from 1908,35

and later in

South Uist.36

1907 Another reference to classes held in 1907. Plans to resume at Glasgow...,

Oban, Inverness and Aberfeldy, ... four pupils at each centre to receive 12 lessons

each... £7.10s. to each Instructor ...J. Macdougall Gillies, John Maccoll, John

Macdonald, Gavin MacDougall... soon after [end of September 1908]. 37

1907-8 ‘Classes for the tuition of young pipers have again been arranged for, the

centres for this year being Glasgow..., Oban, Inverness and Aberfeldy, ... four pupils

at each centre to receive 12 lessons each... £7.10s. to each Instructor ...J. Macdougall

Gillies, John Maccoll, John Macdonald, Gavin MacDougall... soon after [end of

September 1908].38

39

1908 20 April, still at Stephens Brae.40

1908 The Territorial Force came into being on 1 April 1908. The 1st V.B. became

the 4th Battalion Cameron Highlanders and JM was transferred into that unit.41

In his

Attestation he became No. 203, dated 20 April 1908. It is understood that both before

and after this he would be required to attend for various duties, such as an annual

camp, but he would live in civilian houses/lodgings, with his own independent

civilian career.

1908 JM wins Piob Soc 1st Prize at Oban.42

1908 JM wins second clasp at Inverness.43

As noted below, 1924, 1927, 1929, 1933,

1934, further clasps at Inverness.


1908-9 Another piobaireachd class was held.44

See also Report of PS classes ‘for the

tuition of Pipers in the Society’s tunes during 1908-9... 3 pupils at Inverness, 5 at

Oban, 4 at Glasgow, 4 at Aberfeldy...’.45

46

47

n.d. A photo of JM evidently in his prime as a piper shows him wearing a large

number of medals – presumably all piping ones.48

date Another photo of JM, in Army uniform and without piping medals, is part of a

group photo of three people, taken at the Northern Meeting Games in 1909, according

to A. Fairrie (1998) p. 165; though also stated to be ‘around 1912’ – see B.

MacKenzie, p. 7.

1909 Early in year. Start of classes in South Uist.49

1909 The Piobaireachd Society sought to arrange a meeting with professional pipers

including JM. Others invited included Angus MacDonald, Morar, and Sandy

Cameron, who declined. It is not known if the meeting took place, or what the

subjects were to be, but Tolmie’s letter50

reporting the situation to J. P. Grant was

filed along with the papers on methods of playing, cited below, 1913.

1909 7 October. John sends MS copies of three piobaireachd evidently to be

included in a projected PS Book.51

1910 Piob Soc classes announced in the PS notice of competitions for 1910.52

1910 JM employed by Stewart, Pott & Co. [Wine and Spirit merchants], as traveller

in the North and West Highlands, March-October 1910.53

1910. March 26. John writes to the Piob Soc declining to take on some pipers of the

Seaforth Highlanders because it would take too long to bring them up to the standard

required to start; but mentions other pupils he is teaching, i.e. Corporal Cameron, and

Pipe Majors Mackie and Beattie.54

1910 22 September. Piobaireachd Society AGM. Minutes include plans for future

classes in Inverness, Oban, Glasgow and South Uist.55

1910 15 October. Commencement of first Army course, at Cameron Barracks,

Inverness,56

with JM as instructor,57

under a formal agreement making him ‘Professor

of Pipe Music’.58

59

Salary of £50 per annum to be paid by or through the Territorial

Force Association for County of Inverness – see Part 3 of this document . It is

understood by tradition that some if not all of the money originated with the

Piobaireachd Society.

1911 January 17. Examination of first course, Edinburgh. Some candidates’ answer

papers are preserved – see Part 3 of this document.

1911 17 January. Start of second Army course, Inverness – see Part 3 of this

document.


1911 Eight tunes (piobaireachd) entered in the Shone MS60

and dated Inverness 23

Jan, 25 Jan, 2 Jan, 8 Feb, 12 Feb, 15 Feb, 23 Feb, 28 March.

1911 JM receives Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.61

The qualification was 12

years’ service.

1911 April 18. Examination of second Army course, Edinburgh – see Part 3 of this

document.

1911 May 1911. Notice of Piob Soc competitions announces classes arranged for

Glasgow, Inverness, Oban.62

1911 October 16. Start of third Army course, Inverness – see Part 3 of this

document.

1912 Two further tunes (piobaireachd) entered in the Shone MS and dated Plymouth

26 Jan.

1912 18-19 April. Examination of third Army course, Edinburgh – see Part 3 of this

document.

1912 October. Start of fourth Army course, Inverness – see Part 3 of this document.

1913 January 1913. The Piobaireachd Society drew up a paper on the methods of

playing certain movements in piobaireachd, and obtained signatures of Sandy

Cameron, John MacDonald and John MacDougall Gillies. The document seems to

have been drawn up in January, and signatures completed in March.63

With the

document are letters from A Cameron, 31/1/13,64

and JM, 18/3/13.65

See also letter

from A. Cameron in 1920.66

1913 Receives from J. Bartholomew a copy of ‘The Scottish Pipers’ book of Tunes

of 1912’.67

JM says he prefers to have a low A in the grip. The grip is written with

gracenotes low G, D, low G on page 1 and elsewhere, but the taorluath movement

continues to be written with middle low A. In same letter JM says he has been offered

a job in Canada – asks for views.68

1913 A letter from J. P. Grant to JM, 11/3/13, discusses among other things the

writing of the grip and encloses ‘a paper which I wrote and asked Sandy Cameron to

look over & sign if correct...’ [the paper is not here]. Also discusses a proposal that

JM may emigrate to Canada.69

In reply, 14/3/13 JM sends J. P. Grant a ‘brief copy of

the basis of our Theory as relating to the Bagpipe’... he is ‘putting aside the idea of

going to Canada for the present...’.70

See also a letter from JM to Captain MacRae. 71

1913 April 14. Examination of fourth Army course, Edinburgh – see Part 3 of this

document.

1913 Class held in South Uist, unconnected with the Army. 24 students.72

73

1914 As reported by the Piobaireachd Society Music Committee, classes continued

unconnected with the Army, at Edinburgh (John Macdonald), Ballachulish (Wm.


Lawrie), Daliburgh, S. Uist (John Macdonald) and Benbecula (Wm. Lawrie). ‘In the

last two places in particular is to be found a splendid field for instruction and the

opinion of the Committee is that in no place or way are the Society’s funds better

spent’. In contrast, at Aberdeen, according to the same report, there was ‘no demand

for such a class at present among the class of player who might benefit from such

instruction’.74

In fact the situation at Aberdeen was a matter of dispute with the

MacLennan pipers, father and son, who played in a style which the Piobaireachd

Society, or at any rate J. P Grant, strongly disapproved.75

1913 September 9. Second prize in Senior Piobaireachd Society Competition,

Argyllshire Gathering.76

1913 October. Start of fifth Army class, Inverness.

1913 December 31. Postcard addressed to JM at 23 Kingsmills Road, Inverness.77

See also below, 1917.

1914 January 5. Army class moves to Edinburgh – see Part 3 of this document.

1914 April. Examination of the fifth Army class – see Part 3 of this document.

1914 Another class in South Uist. John wrote from Daliburgh, 20/4/14, ‘I came here

last week and find the members of the class doing very well...’. Mentions an

examination.78

1914 August. On the outbreak of war, ordered to join Cameron Highlanders. 79

1914 October 20. Discharged.80

It is said that on the outbreak of war, JM

volunteered for active service, but was not accepted (he would have been 49 years

old). ‘but was taken seriously ill and had to be invalided out’.81

1915 On leaving the Army JM was employed by the firm of Youngers, as a whisky

salesman.82

83

He is thought to have remained with Youngers for the rest of his career.

One source implies final retirement as late as ca 1947 – see below. His employer is

said to have been generous with time off work to teach.84

One wonders what his

civilian employment would be before 1915, but no-one seems to have looked at that.

1917 9 January married Christina Dick Todd, apparently his first marriage.85

Still

living at Kingsmills Road.86

Evidently rented accommodation.87

n.d. They move to 5 Perceval Road. The house still stands, part of a well-built row

of small houses. They were called 1-3 Lochalsh Terrace, also 3-7 Perceval Road.

Apparently rented. The previous tenant at No 5 was also a Commercial Traveller88

89

1919 22 Aug, death of Christina, in Glasgow, though ‘usual residence’ was 5

Perceval Road.90

1920 Meritorious Service Medal.91


1921 It is said that when the Army course was ‘resuscitated’ the post of instructor

was ‘of course’ again offered to JM but he was unable to accept it.92

1921 approx. Seton Gordon began visits which continued for ca 10 years.93

1923 Marriage to second wife, Helen Gibb.94

(Gibb is her parents’ surname, she was

a widow, and named Miller in the marriage record. Occupation, Hotel Manageress.)

The marriage took place at the Gordon Arms Hotel, Elgin. Witnesses included John’s

sister Helen and brother William.95

1924 Third clasp at Inverness.96

1925 Still at 5 Perceval Road, 1925/6.97

Also apparently rented (incidentally the

previous occupant of No 5 had also been a commercial traveller).

1927 March-April. Gramophone recordings made in London.98

1927 Fourth clasp at Inverness.99

1928/9 Moves next door to 3 Perceval Road (end of terrace).100

This was his own

property,101

where he lived for he rest of his life.

1929 Fifth clasp at Inverness.102

1930? Approximate date of start of Donald MacLeod’s going to JM, according to

MacLeod himself.103

1932 1 January. MBE.104

1932 25 February. Investiture at Buckingham Palace

1932 Death of Helen, 7 July, at 3 Perceval Road.105

JM apparently did not marry

again,106

and there were no children so far as we know.

n.d. John’s widowed sister, Margaret Anderson, living with him as housekeeper

until c. 1938 – see Part 2 of this document.

1933-40 A Piob Soc correspondence file (letters to Archibald Campbell)

concerns especially arrangements for JM teaching advanced pupils, and other matters,

including find a country home which he could retire to when not teaching, and where

his sister could live permanently – this was not proceeded with.107

1933 24 July. J. P. Grant to ‘Archie’ , i.e. Archibald Campbell, ‘Kilberry’. Proposal

for JM to teach in Edinburgh, Glasghow, and elsewhere, but have ‘a country home to

which he could retire in the intervals, and where his sister, who is country bred &

hates towns too, could live permanently’. 108

1933 Frank M. Richardson started lessons with John MacDonald, and kept a diary

of them.109


1933 October. Radio broadcast of piobaireachd.110

1933 Sixth clasp at Inverness.111

1934 Seventh and final clasp at Inverness.112

1934 September-October. Piobaireachd Society negotiates with George Younger &

Son Ltd, for JM to be free to teach for certain periods in the year.113

In a letter from

James Younger, 5/10/34, the proposal is for JM to work for the PS, three months in

the year, and this is presumably the final agreement. The letter is in first-name

terms.114

1934 11 Oct. J. Robertson (Pipe Major) to [presumably] Archibald Campbell,

‘Kilberry’. Requesting tuition from JM.115

1934 17 Oct. [Archibald Campbell, ‘Kilberry’] to Colonel E. C. T. Warner, Scots

Guards, supporting J. [B.?] Robertson’s request. ‘...Pipe major MacDonald’s position

as a link with the famous pipers of the past is now unique...’.116

1934 October. Another radio broadcast, on the Empire Department of the B.B.C.117

1934 4 Dec., also 20 Jan 1935. JM to to [presumably] Archibald Campbell,

‘Kilberry’ includes discussion of the tune ‘Flame of Wrath’.118

1935 Further piobaireachd recordings were arranged but had to be cancelled

because JM suffered a thrombosis.119

1935 12 April. Appointed Honorary Piper to King George V.120

A dinner, with

presentations, was held to mark the event.121

1935? Retired from competition.122

123

1936 28 October. Appointed Honorary Piper to King Edward VIII. 124

1937 12 January. Appointed Honorary Piper to King George VI.125

1937 13 Oct. Younger of Leckie126

to Captain [G.I.] Campbell [of Succoth]. Leave

for JM to do a few months’ teaching.127

1938 November 15. Death of JM’s sister Margaret – see FH.

1938 JM writes [apparently to Archibald Campbell], 5.12.38, thanking him for a

note of sympathy of 2 Inst, on the death of his sister. She died in a nursing home (see

above), but the letter seems to confirm that she had lived with JM for some

appreciable time prior to her last illness.128

1938? Approximate date of beginning of tuition of R. U. Brown.129


1942 ‘Memoirs’ published in the Oban Times. They refer to his early background,

including tuition from Calum MacPherson at Catlodge, and to some modern

tendencies in piobaireachd playing, also ‘the comparatively modern controversy of the

so-called ‘Redundant A’ in Taorluath.’130

1947 Final retirement from employment as Traveller.131

1948 September. Donald MacGillivray wins Inverness Gold Medal, and Donald

MacLeod wins Clasp. (Both these and three other winners in the Medal were pupils

of JM). JM himself ‘not in robust health’ and could not attend. 132

1948/9 Publication of The Kilberry Book of Ceol Mor.133

Kilberry sent JM a

complimentary copy. In a letter to Seton Gordon, JM was extremely critical of the

book.134

1949 Briefly acquired papers of the Cameron family including piobaireachd MS of

Colin Cameron, sold to the Piobaireachd Society.135

1949 (or later). Tunes (6 piobaireachd), written out in Piob Soc notation, some

evidently from Kilberry Book, on paper the same as in the Shone MS (see

references).136

1953 ‘Within a fortnight of his death, though for long unable to play even on the

practice chanter, and latterly bedridden, he was still teaching piobaireachd to a few

chosen pupils’.137

1953 JM died 6 June 1953, at 3 Perceval Road.138

The funeral, on 8 June,139

was a

considerable occasion, with a procession led by pipers from the house, with press

reports140

141

142

143

and photographs.144

Buried at Forres.145

The death was registered by Margaret A. Smith, who lived in Inverness.146

A plaque

was attached to the house, (by the Piobaireachd Society ?), which is still in situ.

Isabella Rae (see Part 2 of this document) inherited the house and contents and

continued to live there at least until 1955.147

JM left some personal items to his sister

Helen (see Part 2), and divided the residue between Helen and Andrew. No other

relatives are mentioned in the will.148

The will makes no mention of pipes, music or

papers, but in fact the pipes went to Donald MacGillivray, who was possibly his last

pupil – see above.


1 Statutory Births 104/00 0015.

2 Tunes 12, 16, 17 ‘Copied from Alex. Macdonald Piper to the Late Earl of

Fife’. The tunes are in Ross’s 3rd edition (1885), pp. 92, 103, 104. Previous editions,

which did not have these tunes, were 1869 and 1876 – see R. D. Cannon (1980) p.

146. The expression ‘copied from’ seems to imply that MacDonald provided written

scores.

3 ‘An uncle was piper to the late King Edward [= Edward VII] when he was

Prince of Wales’. Obituary of JM, in Northern Chronicle, 10 June 1953. ‘The late Mr

William MacDonald, Daviot’ ... ‘afterwards employed by the late Mackintosh of

Mackintosh... at Moy Hall’. Obituary of JM, in Highland News, 13 June 1953.

4 Questions on Gaelic were included in the 1881 and subsequent censuses, but

individual responses for 1881 are not preserved. On the forms the column was headed

‘Gaelic or G. & E.’ In 1891, when JM was living with his sister in Kingussie (see

Part 2 of this document) the entry is G. & E. for them both, but in 1901 when JM is in

lodgings in Inverness his entry is blank is contrast to William Grant and his wife, in

the same house, who have ‘G o E’.

5 William M. MacDonald, a pupil from shortly after the 2nd World War, not

himself a speaker, said that JM was a Gaelic speaker but taught in English because

most of his pupils weren’t – B. Mackenzie, private communication, 21 October 20.

6 1871 Scotland Census, under name of Isabella McDonald [note spellings], on

Ancestry.co.uk (accessed 25 september 2011). Facsimile of original return on

www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk [Census 1871 104/00 007/00 004]. A photo of the house

is in B. MacKenzie (1998), p. 5.

7 1881 Census Roll cssct1881_39 on Ancestry.co.1881 Scotland census,

accessed 29 January 2010.

8 He is said to have won his first eight prizes with the tune The Little Spree, as

noted in F. M. Richardson MS, p. 39, but this tune is not mentioned in connection

with his medal in 1890.

9 He is said to have first entered for the Inverness Gold Medal in 1889, placed

3rd. Obituary, Inverness Courier 9 June 1953. In NLS Acc.9103/4 there is a

handwritten bound volume listing ‘Northern Meeting Junior Pibrochs’. It contains

competition results and it is not clear that ‘junior’ means junior in years of age. The

name John MacDonald appears in 1889-1897 with various addresses in Nairn but it is

not clear if it is ‘our’ John MacDonald.

10

As noted in the reference later written for him by Frank Macdonald, Head

Keeper at Glentromie Lodge, 15 July 1901. In NLS Acc.9103/8.

11

Letters from L. A. MacPherson are in NLS Acc.9103/8. See also A. Fairrie,

1988, pp 179-180, 213.

http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/


12

It was The King’s Taxes according to F. M. Richardson MS, p. 39; also, same

source, ‘He played it at Kingussie [date not specified] & was 1st, & Dr. B[ett] liked

the tune so much that John M. played it at Fort William’. It is also said to have been

The King’s Taxes in a letter from J. P. Grant to ‘Archie’ [i.e. Campbell, Kilberry], 23

June 1935. Grant was reporting on conversations he had just had with John

MacDonald – see Piob. Soc. archive, file 7 in the list prepared by RDC for the Music

Committee, 24 August 2011. Unfoliated. But A. MacPherson [c. 1965], p. 75, said it

was The Battle of Waternish, adding a story that John was then being taught by

Malcolm MacPherson’s son John, so that the pupil beat the master, winning the gold

medal. This incident was freely commented on around the ring as hard lines on the

tutor. Of John MacDonald a lot has been said and erroneously, but the fact remains

that he got his teaching on the braes of Catlodge...’. It was said that he went to the

MacPhersons for tuition but that Malcolm MacPherson himself (‘Calum Piobair’)

would not take him on until after he won the medal. Also that JM himself would never

talk about that episode – see B. Mackenzie (1998), p. 3.

13

Census, 1891, 102/00 007/00 005. On www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk.

14

Letter of reference by L. A. MacPherson, 16/11/95., stating that JM was in his

employment from May 191 to May 1894. he ‘acted as Second Keeper during the

shooting season, had charge of the dogs during the winter months and played the

pipes when wanted’. NLS Acc.9103/8.

15

A letter of reference from James Grant, 16/7/95, is in NLS Acc.9103/8.

16

NP

17

Service Record, preserved among pension records, WO364/2212.

18

NP says he joined in 1890 and was pipe-major from then, but I assume this

was an error, which has misled later writers.

19

See letter of reference written for JM 4 May 1910 by Lieut. Col. Alex. Fraser.

‘I have known Pipe Major John MacDonald for the past 11 years...’. NLS Acc.9103/8.

20

Census, 1901, 098/00 003/000291. On www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk.

In the household of William and Mary Grant.

21

B. MacKenzie says (1998, p. 6) that as a salesman ‘he was for many years

based on Forres’ but quotes no Forres addresses.

22

Inverness Burgh Directory 1901 (online at

www.archive.org/stream/invernessburghdir190102inv/invernessburghdi190102inv-

djvu.text) accessed 21/06/2011, shows Mrs Baillie at No. 16. Today the house is a

fairly large building, with two street doors, 16 and 16A.

23

See letter of reference written for him by Frank Macdonald, Head Keeper at

Glentromie Lodge, 15 July 1901. In NLS Acc.9103/8.

http://www.archive.org/stream/invernessburghdir190102inv/invernessburghdi190102inv%1fdjvu.text

http://www.archive.org/stream/invernessburghdir190102inv/invernessburghdi190102inv%1fdjvu.text


24

A. Fairrie (1998), p. 213. The Clasp competition had been introduced in 1896,

open to winners of the Gold Medal at either Inverness or Oban.

25

Collection of John Shone. They came along with the Shone MS, from Pipe-

Major J. B. Robertson.

26

W. M. Donaldson (2000), p. 287, citing Oban Times, 17/9/1904, p. 5, and p.

295.

27

‘The competitions were held on 13th September, 1904, and the record tells

that prizes were awarded as follows:- 1st (A gold medal and £20) John MacDonald,

Inverness (playing The King’s Taxes). 2nd Pipe Corporal George Stewart

MacLennan, 1st Gordon Highlanders (Lament for the Earl of Antrim). 3rd Corporal

Piper W. Ross, 1st Scots Guards (The Desperate Battle). 4th James A. Center,

Edinburgh. His tune is not specified. There were fourteen entries...’. J. Campbell

(1977), page 34. The location of the record is not specified.

28

Garscube Papers, DC80/359, letters to J. MacKillop, from Ferndern, the first

undated, the second dated 11/11/04.

29

See F. M. Richardson MS, pp. 81-86, paraphrasing letters from Kilberry,

mentioning among other things John McDonald’s way of playing the echoing beat on

D and the Taorluath movement from low G.

30

Letter, J, MacKillop to JM, 20/9/05, thanking him for the loan of a chanter

reed. ‘I am glad you had such a successful year at the competitions... I have never

heard the pipes played more tastefully than you play’. In NLS Acc.9103/8.

31

‘[He] had played his pipes while riding on elephants in India and on camels in

Egypt, and was said to be the first to play in an aeroplane. He played before the Kaiser

when the German Monarch was in Britain in 1907’. From obituary in The Scotsman,

text here copied by the Royal Archives and emailed 28 October 2011. It all sounds

like a case of mistaken identity.

32

Notice of tunes for competitions, 16 May 1907. Printed; included in file from

Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to the NLS. The file is No 2 in the list

made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24 August 2011.

33

List of expenditures, 14th

Septr 1906 to 20

th Sep

tr 1907. NLS Acc.9103/1

unfoliated page with printed number 81.

34

See e.g. Minutes of the AGM of the Society, 13 September 1904, which

contain reports of competitions but no mention of classes. Printed minutes included in

file from Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to the NLS. The file is No 2 in

the list made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24 August 2011.

35

An earlier register of pupils taught by John MacDonald and others is NLS

Acc.12565/5. See also Piobaireachd Society correspondence in Acc. 12565/7.


36

NLS Acc 12565/5 f. [9a].

37

‘Minute of Meeting of the General Committee of the Piobaireachd Society

held at 59 Cadogan Square London on Monday 6th

July 1908...’. MS minute book, in

NLS Acc.9103/1, unfoliated.

38

‘Report of the work of the Piobaireachd Society during the year September,

1907, to September, 1908’. Printed sheet in NLS Acc.9103/1. See also printed report

attached to the handwritten minutes of the General Committee Meeting, 6 July 1908,

noted above. Another copy is included in file from Piob Soc archives, now approved

for offering to the NLS. The file is No 2 in the list made by RDC for the Music

Committee, 24 August 2011.

39

See draft of notice to be printed for Piobaireachd Society competitions, 21 July

1908. Classes arranged for Oban, Glasgow, Aberfeldy, Inverness, Autumn and Winter

1908. Number to be instructed limited to 16. Included in file from Piob Soc archives,

now approved for offering to the NLS. The file is No 2 in the list made by RDC for

the Music Committee, 24 August 2011.

40

Service Record.

41

In strict administrative terms he ended with the 1st V.B. on 31.3.08 and

enlisted with the 4th Battalion on 20th April, the date of his Attestation

(WO364/2212).

42

Piobaireachd Society Prizes. Record of 1st Prize Winners at... the Argyllshire

Gathering. Handwritten note included in file from Piob Soc archives, now approved

for offering to the NLS. The file is No 2 in the list made by RDC for the Music

Committee, 24 August 2011. The report is undated but it continues in uniform

handwriting to 1919.

43

A. Fairrie (1988), p. 213.

44

In a letter to the Society, 13 August 1908, John acknowledges receiving a list

of tunes for competition and some notification about ‘instruction of pupils for 1909’.

Since the 1908 Northern Meeting was imminent this evidently refers to classes over

the winter of 1908-9. See Garscube Papers, DC80/374, letter from Masonic Arms,

Longcroft, Dennyloanhead, 13 August 1908.

45

Minute of Meeting of the General Committee of the Piobaireachd Society...

Monday 5th

July. Handwritten sheets in NLS Acc.9103/1, unfoliated.

46

See also ‘Report on the work of the Piobaireachd Society during the year

September 1908 to September 1909’. Classes have been arranged for Glasgow, Oban,

Inverness, Aberfeldy. Instructors J. Macdougall Gillies, John Maccoll, John

Macdonald, Gavin MacDougall respectively... also South Uist. Numbers of pupils are

stated. Printed sheet in NLS Acc.9103/1. Also included in file from Piob Soc

archives, now approved for offering to the NLS. The file is No 2 in the list made by

RDC for the Music Committee, 24 August 2011.


47

See also NLS Acc.12565/5, a register of pupils and teachers at various Piob.

Soc Classes. John Macdonald is mentioned at Inverness in 1908-9 (f. 5r) and 1909-10

(f. 5r-v), and at South Uist, undated (f. 9r).

48

See front cover of Piping Times, 63, No. 5 (February 2011).

49

Negotiations began in 1908 and classes were agreed to start in 1909. See

copies of letters from Andrew McElfrish, Lochmaddy, 31/10/08, 8/12/08, 18/12/08,

and from Norman Robertson, Askernish, S. Uist, 25/1/09, in Garscube Papers,

DC80363. They begin with requests for a class in view of the fact that the Committee

have ‘appointed instructors in Pibroch playing to certain districts but have appointed

none to Benbecula or South Uist’, and end with agreement that John MacDonald is to

be the instructor, with dertailsd of rates of pay. On 19 January 1909 Sir J. MacPherson

Grant wrote from Ballendalloch Castle to protest that John was to be be taken away

when it had been arranged that he was to ‘start with a class in Inverness’ (Garscube

Papers, DC80/364). On 14/4/09 he reported progress of the pupils and mentioned that

he was due to finish on Saturday [i.e. 17/4/09] (Garscube Papers, DC80/363).

50

D. J. Tolmie (Secretary, The Piobaireachd Society) to unnamed recipient

presumably J.P. Grant, 21 August 1909, referring to a projected meeting with ‘the

professionals’, named as ‘Pipe-Major MacDonald etc.’. Angus MacDonald, Morar is

‘pleased to attend’ but Sandy Cameron’s reply is ‘not so satisfactory’ and a copy of

the latter’s letter, 16 August 1909 is attached. Included in file from Piob Soc archives,

now approved for offering to the NLS. The file is No 6 in the list made by RDC for

the Music Committee, 24 August 2011.

51

The tunes are Prince Charles Lament, Captain MacDougall’s [Lament],

Lament for Lord Lovat. (Garscube Papers, DC80/365, letter to [presumably] D.J.

Tolmie, from Ferndern, undated but endorsed on back with date 7 Octr. 1909).

52

Printed notice of competitions, 18 Feb 1910. Classes arranged for Glagow,

Inverness, Aberfeldy. Included in file from Piob Soc archives, now approved for

offering to the NLS. The file is No 2 in the list made by RDC for the Music

Committee, 24 August 2011. See also NLS Acc.12565/5, a register of pupils and

teachers at various Piob. Soc Classes. John Macdonald is mentioned at Inverness in

1908-9 (f. 5r) and 1909-10 (f. 5r-v), and at South Uist, undated (f. 9r).

53

Testimonial dated 5 May 1911. NLS Acc.9103/8.

54

Letter, 26/3/10, addressesd ‘Dear Sir’; sent from The Sutherland Arms Hotel

(Garscube Papers, DC80/366). The letter is on headed notepaper ‘John MacDonald.

Proprietor’ but this not the piper. It is another John MacDonald, well known locally.

55

Printed. Included in file from Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to

the NLS. The file is No 2 in the list made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24

August 2011.

56

See also account in W. Donaldson (2000), p. 306.


57

For an account of the class see W. Donaldson (2000), p. 306.

58

A copy of the contract is in Garscube Papers, DC80/367. The contract is

typed, and signed by John Macdonald, over a 6D stamp, and by D.J.Tolmie and Lord

Lovat. It is not dated as such but it states that the period of service – for six months –

is to start on 15/10/10. In a letter of 1/11/10 John sends in his date of birth with

apologies for delay, but the date is duly typed in the contract (Garscube Papers, same

folder).

59

Actually the class seems to have started a day or two late. On October 15, the

Officer Commanding Cameron Barracks sent an official notification to the Piob Soc

saying that John MacDonald had not yet reported, though the five pupils had arrived.

(Garscube Papers, DC80/366). In point of fact there were eventually six pupils.

60

Shone MS. The MS is the property of John Shone. John himself considers it

was written by John MacDonald – see J. Shone (2011a, b; 2012) . See further,

discussion by David Murray, in letter to Piping Times, 63, No. 7, pp. 41-47 (April

2011).

61

R. H. Crawford (2009), p. 260.

62

Printed. Included in file from Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to

the NLS. The file is No 2 in the list made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24

August 2011.

63

Method of teaching a pupil to play correctly an ordinary leumluath,

Taorluath, & Crunluath beat. Written on a foolscap bifolium in the hand of J. P.

Grant. Folio [1a] text with heading as quoted; [1b] headed ‘The above are corrected’

and signed A. Cameron / John MacDonald / J. MacDougall Gillies / ; [2a] headed

‘Comments’ but the rest of the page is blank. The inner pages are not dated but the

bifolium has been folded in four, in legal fashion, and the outside is headed

Piobaireachd Society / Correct Method / of playing various / Movements / Jan 1913 /

J. P Grant Hon Secy / Music Committee / 48 India St. Edinburgh. The paper is

watermarked, f [1] GEO STEWART & Co. / EXTRA STRONG and f [2] Britannia in

oval surround, surmounted by crown. Included in file from Piob Soc archives, now

approved for offering to the NLS, in file No 6 in the list made by RDC for the Music

Committee, 24 August 2011.

64

Letter, A. Cameron to J. P. Grant, 31/1/13, from Achnacarry, Spean Bridge.

Included in file from Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to the NLS, in file

No 6 in the list made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24 August 2011. ‘Enclosed

your paper, and am pleased to say it is correct’ ... ‘Please do not use my name as an

authority’.

. 65

Letter, JM to J. P. Grant, 1/3/13, from The Barracks, Inverness. Included in

file from Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to the NLS, in file No 6 in the

list made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24 August 2011. ‘I herewith send your

paper of the method of performing Leumluath etc...’.


66

A. Cameron to Major Grant [i.e. Rothiemurchus], 9 April 1920. thanks for

tunes Grant had sent him to look over but he cannot help, being too long out of

practice. Included in file from Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to the

NLS. The file is No 6 in the list made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24 August

2011.

67

This is The Scottish Pipers’ Society’s Book of Tunes 1912, listed as 341.I in R.

D. Cannon (1980), p. 217; Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Special Collections.

68

Letter, JM to J.P. Grant, 10/3/13, from Cameron Barracks. Included in file

from Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to the NLS. The file is No 2 in the

list made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24 August 2011.

69

NLS Acc.9103/8. Unfoliated.

70

Included in file from Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to the

NLS. The file is No 2 in the list made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24 August

2011.

71

Letter, John MacDonald to Captain MacRae, written from Cameron Barracks,

8/4/13. Garscube Papers, DC80/370 [same latter as cited above].

72

Report by JM, printed in minutes of Piobaireachd Society AGM, 11/9/13,

included in file from Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to the NLS. The

file is No 2 in the list made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24 August 2011.

‘...four were beginners this year, as the Committee thought it advisable to further

advance the pupils of former years...since the classes were started four of those who

have had tuition have joined the Regular Army, tweo Special Reserve and three the

Lovat Scouts...’.

73

‘S. Uist and Benbecula were particularly fortunate, for John’s employment as

a traveller for Youngers of Alloa took hin there on business and his employer for

many years generously allowed him time when there to stay on & teach the boys.

There he was indeed a veritable king & his name and his name and fame will not die’.

J. P. Grant [1953a].

74

Draft Report by the Music Committee [of the Piobaireachd Society]. Signed J.

P.Grant, August 1st 1914. Typescript (carbon copy) included in file from Piob Soc.

archives, now approved for offering to the NLS. The file is No 2 in the list made by


75

See the Minutes of the AGM of the Piobaireachd Society, 11 September 1913.

These minutes are printed but the preserved copy has crossings out in ink and there is

a covering letter from Captain Campbell of Kilberry, 7/11/13 objecting to them.


76

Report of competition, unsigned, hand of J. P. Grant. Included in file from

Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to the NLS. The file is No 2 in the list

made by RDC for the Music Committee, 24 August 2011.

77

In NLS Acc.9103/8. The writer, a certain J. MacDonald, is evidently a piping

pupil, now just arrived in Shanghai, were he is attached to the Police.

78

Letter, to Captain MacRae, from Daliburgh, Lochboisdale, 20/4/14 (Garscube

Papers, DC80/374).

79

Joining instructions to 203 Sgt. Piper J. Macdonald, dated 4 Aug 1914.

Piobaireachd Society archives, NLS Acc.9103/8.

80

Service Record WO364/2212.

81

‘In 1914 John was Pipe Major of the 4th

Camerons, & while with them at

Bedford had to be invalided out, so that he was unable to go abroad with them on

service’. J. P. Grant [1953a].

82

A letter from Youngers is dated 9 Nov 1915 (Piobaireachd Society archives,

NLS). The chairman of the firm was George Younger, 1st Viscount Younger of

Leckie (see following note), created Baronet 12 July 1911, died 29 April 1939,

succeeded by his son James, the 2nd Viscount. Information from Wikipedia, on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki accessed 29 September 2011.

83

A letter preserved in NLS papers uses the style The Rt Hon George Younger

MP / Easter Leekie [sic] / GARGUNNOCK / Stirlingshire. The letter is not related to

piping matters but occurs as a divider in NLS Acc.9103/3.

84

J.P. Grant (1953).

85

Statutory Marriages, 644/22 0028. Christina was living in Partick, Glasgow,

and the marriage took place at her house. JM was entered in the certificate as

‘bachelor’. His brother Andrew was a witness.

86

On the marriage certificate with Christina. Actually it is written Kingswell

Road – evidently in error for Kingsmills.

87

Valuation Roll of the Burgh of Inverness... published by direction of the Town

Council. Highland Council Archives, Inverness, B1/2/5/23. House No 23 is in Crown

Ward, close to the boundary with Southgate ward. The rolls were published annually,

each one spanning two part-years. The name of J. Macdonald does not appear as a

proprietor in either ward, in 1916-7 or 1917-18.

88

Valuation Roll of the Burgh of Inverness... published by direction of the Town

Council. Highland Council Archives, Inverness. See e.g. B1/2/5/23, 1917-1918. The

owner was Mrs Mary Cameron, widow, Ballinreid Villa, Fairfield Road. The Roll

confirms that No 1 is a detached house – called Osborn – then 1, 2, 3 Lochalsh

Terrace are 3, 5, 7 Perceval Road. The tenant at No. 5 was ‘Hugh Mitchell, traveller’.

http://en.wikipedia.org.wiki/


89

Among his near neighbours was David Logan, of Logan & Co., Inverness –

who published MacPhee’s collections, and later Mrs Logan, presumably widow. Info

from Keith Sanger, based on Inverness street directories.

90

Statutory Deaths 644/09 0548. Christina died in a nursing home in Glasgow.

here usual residence was given as 5 Perceval Road, Inverness – a mis-spelled Percival

in the official record, which was written in Glasgow.

91

R.H. Crawford (2009), p. 260, citing A. O. [Army Order] 114/1920.

92

J. P. Grant (1953).

93

‘about the year 1921 or rather earlier, I began a course of tuition... at his house

in Inverness. During the ten years when we lived at Aviemore it was easy for me to go

in... on a Saturday, which was John’s only free day...’. S. Gordon (1962). A file of

letters from JM to Seton Gordon is in NLS Acc.7451, Box 19.

94

Statutory Marriages, 135/00 0114. At the Gordon Arms, Elgin, 25th December

1923. Helen’s occupation was given as ‘Hotel manageress’ and she was a widow. The

wedding was conducted by G. A. Seller ‘Minister officiating at Craigellachie’.

95

Names spelled Helen McDonald and W. Macdonald.

96

A. Fairrie (1988), p. 214.

97

JM is at No. 5 in 1925-26, then proprietor at No. 3 in 1928-29. The two years

in between are still to be checked.

98

Issued as Columbia 4511, 4512, 4513, 4514, 4749, 5052. Titled ‘Pipe Major

John MacDonald (of Inverness), bagpipes’. Contents listed by W. W. Dean-Myatt,

2004. Donaldson (2000), p 213, states that the session had been organised by the

Piobaireachd Society, and quotes (p. 428) an interesting eye-witness account of the

procedure, from Oban Times, 26/3/1927.

99

A. Fairrie (1988), p. 214.

100

As noted above, JM is at No. 5 in 1925-26, then proprietor at No. 3 in 1928-

29. The two years in between are still to be checked.

101

Inverness Valuation Roll, see e.g. B1/2/5/34, 1928-1929. Highland Council

Archives, Inverness

102

A. Fairrie (1988), p. 214.

103

MacLeod (1962a) refers to ‘my long period under John – twenty-five years in

all...’ and (1962b) to having first been taught by him ‘as a very young boy’ in

Stornoway, also to winning the Goild medal in 1947 and playing his tune to JM

afterwards.. It is not obvious quite how long was the period of piobaireachd tuition.


104

New Year Honours List, London Gazette page reference to be checked.

Seton Gordon had been pressing for this. A letter from the Prime Minister, Ramsay

MacDonald, to Seton Gordon, dated 14 July 1931, is quoted by B. Mackenzie (1998,

pp. 7-8). For anecdote of a conversation between JM and the King on that occasion,

see F. M. Richardson [1985].

105

District of Inverness, County of Inverness. 7 July 1932, at 3 Perceval Road,

Inverness. Found on the website scotlandspeople, accessed 26 March 2010.

106

His death certificate mentions the marriages to Christina, 1st and Helen, 2nd.

107

File from Piobaireachd Society archives, now to be offered to the NLS. It is

file 6 in the list prepared by RDC for the Piob Soc Music Committee, 24 August

2011. Unfoliated. File includes letters from John MacDonald dated in 1934, 1935,

1937, 1939 (some are typed copies).

108

In Piob Soc archive, file 6 in the list prepared by RDC for the Piob Soc Music

Committee, 24 August 2011. Unfoliated.

109

See F. M. Richardson MS. See also F.M. Richardson [1985], and S. MacNeill

and F. M. Richardson (1987).

110

W. Donaldson (2000), p. 425. See NLS Acc.9103/9, letter from A. Campbell

to ‘Jock’, 10/11/33.

111

A. Fairrie (1988), p. 214.

112

A. Fairrie (1988), p. 214. It is said that while playing, JM was harassed by a

small dog which jumped on to the platform, but he finished his tune perfectly, then

bent down and patted the dog – see e.g. B. MacKenzie (1998), p. 11.

113

Minutes of PS Music Committee, at Oban, 11 9/34,; JM in attendance.

Considered how the services of JM as an additional instructor could be secured.

Preferred optio was a subsidy of £100 per year, and JM suggested his employer might

free him for two 3-month periods in the year, i.e. November-January, and April-June.

JPG to eplore this with Lord Younger. In NLS Acc.9103/4.

114

Letter , James [Younger] to Iain [Grant of Rothiemurchus], 5/10/34. In Piob

Soc archive, file 6 in the list prepared by RDC for the Piob Soc Music Committee, 24

August 2011. Unfoliated.

115



116




117

W. Donaldson (2000), p. 425, quoting article in Oban Times, 15/12/1934, and

citing copies of the introductory talk given by Seton Gordon, now among NLS papers.

118



119

The session was arranged by Frank M. Richardson, with Parlophone. The

incident is recounted in F. M. Richardson [1985]. Correspondence with various record

companies is in NLS Acc.9103/9. Considerable detail, with documentation, is given

by W. Donaldson (2000), p. 428-430.

120

Information from the Royal Archives, by email 28 October 2011.

121

See obituary, Inverness Courier, 9 June 1953, page 3, column [f].

122

According to W. Donaldson (2000), p. 446, he gave up playing in competition

on medical advice, following a slight stroke in 1935.

123

R. H. Crawford (2009), p. 260, says that JM won over 2000 prizes for piping,

but gives no source.

124

Information from the Royal Archives, by email 28 October 2011. A newspaper

photograph of John MacDonald (unsourced) has caption ‘Pipe-major John

Macdonald... who has been appointed Honorary Piper to the King – an honour first

conferred on him by the late King George’. Cutting pasted into the F. M. Richardson

MS – see Bibliography, Part 4 of this document. The wording suggests that ‘the King’

is Edward VIII, which would date the photo to 1936.

125

Information from the Royal Archives, by email 28 October 2011

126

This is James, 2nd Viscount Leckie, DSO, son of George mentioned above.

127


Committee, 24 August 2011. Unfoliated

128

Included in file from Piob Soc archives, now approved for offering to the

NLS. The first page is on black-edged notepaper. The file is No 6 in the list made by


129

The tuition started on the recommendation of Seton Gordon, following on

Brown’s playing at the Braemar Gathering, and the conversation with the King was

recounted in S. Gordon (1944), p. 146. According to R. Eagle the year of the

Gathering was 1938 and R. B. Nicol was involved as well. ‘According to

MacDonald’s letters the King agreed that ‘The Balmoral boys’ should be absent in

early January for tuition. In the same class was Pipe-Major MacLennen [sic] and

Lance-Corporal Donald MacLeod...’. See R. Eagle (1991) p. 177.

130

Printed in A. MacPherson [1965], pp. 66-68.


131

In the Inverness Valuation Roll, JM appears as at 3 Perceval Road as

‘traveller’ 1946-7, then ‘retired’ in 1947-8 etc.

132

Newspaper report, 29 {Sept] 1948, cutting in NLS Acc.9103/4.

133

A. Campbell (1948). Although dated 1948 it appeared very late in the year and

probably did not go on general sale until early 1949. Kilberry’s letter to JM was dated

15 December 1948, and a copy, supplied by James Campbell, is quoted in R. Eagle

(1991), p. 229.

134

R. Eagle (1991), p. 229, followed (next page) by a ‘recent letter’ from James

Campbell commenting on it. The letter is also quoted in W. Donaldson (2000), p. 445

135

The correspondence, including a letter from S. Cameron, Seaforth Cottage,

Maryburgh, 11/5/49, is in NLS Acc.9103/9. The major MS mentioned here is NLS

MS.3745.

136

The MS is the property of John Shone. It came, along with the Shone MS (see

Bibliography, Part 4 of this Document), from Pipe-Major J.B. Robertson.

137

J. P Grant (1953).

138

Statutory Deaths, 098/A0 0297.

139

Press announcements indicated that the funeral service was to be at the house

on 19th June, followed by interment at Forres. See Northern Chronicle, 10 June 1953;

Inverness Courier, 9 June 1953, page 1, column [a].

140

Northern Chronicle, 10 June 1953, page 5, column [b]. Copy supplied by

Inverness Reference Library.

141

Inverness Courier, 9 June 1953, page 3, column [f]. Copy supplied by


142

Highland News, 13 June 1953, page 7, columns [c, d]. Copy supplied by


143

The Scotsman. Text supplied by The Royal Archives, email 28 October 2011.

144

See B. MacKenzie (1998), p. 12, and W. Donaldson (2000), rear dustjacket .

145

NP. R. H. Crawford (2009), p 260, says Foyer’s recte Forres (Cluny Hill)

Cemetery). The grave was that of his second wife Helen, at his own request (B.

Mackenzie, private communication).

146

At JM’s death registration the informant was ‘Marg. A. Smith’ [Margaret? –

the writing is not easy] ‘Intimate friend...[followed by an address in Inverness]’.


147

See Inverness Valuation Roll, 1954-55, B1/2/5/60. Highland Council

Archives, Inverness.

148

The will was proved on 15 July 1953. See National Archives of Scotland,

SC29-44-118, pp. 989-984. The executor was his brother Andrew, residing at

Viewmount, Craigellachie. The residuary legatees were Andrew and Helen, also

residing at Viewmount.

Documents

John MacDonald of Inverness - The Piobaireachd Society · John MacDonald part 1 (timeline) 1 John MacDonald of Inverness. This is Part 1 of a collection of facts in the life of Pipe