Ferguson, William. — A pupil of the late Farquhar Macrae, Pipe-Major Ferguson began his career as a military piper in the 7th Battn. H.L.I., of which he became pipe-major in 1914. Holder of many important prizes for pipe playing; has composed “Atholl and Breadal-bane Gathering,*' “The Plains of Gaza," and “The 7th Battn. H.L.I.’s Farewell to Dunfermline."

Findlater, George, V.C. — Piper, 2nd Battn. Gordon Highlanders. See chapter on “Gordon Highlanders."

Forsyth, Henry. — Piper to His Majesty the King. Joined 2nd Battn. Scots Guards in 1887 as a piper. Promoted pipe-major in 1899. Served throughout South African War. In 1905 was appointed piper to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales — later H.M. George V. The office of King’s piper fell to Forsyth on the retirement of Pipe-Major James Campbell. Volunteered for active service in 1914 and was appointed Pipe-Major 14th Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1915. Later was transferred to 40th Division as sergeant-major, and on reorganisation of the base depot he furnished troops to the various battalions in the Division.

Gibson, John. — Piper, 78th Highlanders. See chapter on “Seaforth Highlanders."

Gillies, John McDougall. — For many years manager of the famous bagpipe-making firm of Peter Henderson, Glasgow, Pipe-Major Gillies was known to pipers all over the world. Very successful as player and teacher. Prizes include first for pibroch at Braemar, Gold Medal at Stamford Bridge, medals at Oban, Inverness, and elsewhere. In 1891 he was appointed Pipe-Major of the Volunteer Battalion—later 5th Battn. H.L.I.— the pipers of which he trained to compete for band competitions with such success that they won the Argyll Shield twice along with many other trophies. Died in 1925.

Gordon, James A. — One of the best of Highland dancers, Pipe-Major Gordon is also an excellent piper, particularly of pibroch. His war service was first in the Scottish Horse and latterly as Pipe-Major of the o/6th Royal Scots. After campaigning in Gallipoli and France, Pipe-Major Gordon ended his active service in the post - Armistice march into Germany. For many years held championship of Highland dancing.

Grant, John M‘Gregor. — Pipe-Major,Cameron Highlanders, during the Egyptian Campaign, 1882-84, during which he was mentioned in despatches for conspicuous gallantry. Grant, of whom mention has already been made in the chapter on the Cameron Highlanders (q.v.) died of cholera on the Mokattam Heights in 1883.

Gray, William. — Pipe-Major, City of Glasgow Police Band; was Pipe-Major 2nd Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders throughout the Great War, probably the only instance of a New Army piper being posted to a Regular battalion. One of the leading exponents of pibroch, and winner of Gold Medal for pibroch at the Argyllshire and Northern Meetings, the Pibroch Society Cup presented by Mrs Campbell of Dunstaffnage, and other prizes. The composer of a march, “The City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band,” and of two strathspeys, “Pipe Major McDougall Gillies” and “William McLean," Pipe-Major Gray has rendered a notable service for all pipe bands by publishing, in collaboration with Drum-Major John Seton, the “Bagpipe and Drum Tutor" and a “Collection of Highland Bagpipe Music and Drum Settings.” Has a library of pipe music, which includes many rare MSS.

Groat, James, D.C.M., M.M. — Pipe-Major, 16th Canadian Scottish. See chapter on “Canadian Forces.”

Honyman, William. — Piper, 42nd Highlanders. See chapter on “The Black Watch"

Laidlaw, Daniel, V.C. — Piper, 7th Battn. King's Own Scottish Borderers. See p. 81.

Laurie, William. — Pipe-Major, 8th (Territorial) Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Born in 1882 at Ballachulish, where, till 1914, he Jived, William Laurie had, by his excellent playing and his notable compositions, made his mark as one of the best pipers of his generation. He had won Gold Medals at the Argyllshire Gathering, the Northern Meeting, and at Crieff; and first prize awards at Inveraray, Portree, Fort William, Cowal, and Bridge of Allan. Of his better-known work mention may be made of the following: “Lament for the late Lord Archibald Campbell"; “Paps of Glencoe”; “Clach larick"; “John Macdonald of Glencoe"; and “Inveraray Castle." In France he composed the spirited and tuneful “Battle of the Somme,” a favourite marching tune in many battalions. Was invalided home and died in November 1916.

Mcoll, John. — Pipe-Major, 3rd Battn. the Black Watch, and later the Scottish Horse, was for many years an outstanding authority on pipe music and probably the most successful all-round player of his day.

McDonald, Andrew. — Pipe-Major, Scottish Horse, 1908-1918. Accompanied his regiment to Gallipoli where he was wounded in December 1915. A frequent prize-winner at Northern and Argyllshire Meetings, and at Bridge of Allan.

M‘Donald, James. — Pipe-Major, 1st Battn. Seaforth Highlanders, which he had joined as a boy piper, McDonald, or “The Silver King" as he was nicknamed, had a stirring career in the Indian Mutiny and later in the Afghan Campaign; was one of the Seaforth Highlanders who marched from Kabul to Kandahar. At Lucknow in 1879 he was promoted pipe-major and accompanied his regiment to the Egyptian Campaign, 1881-85. He sounded the time-honoured “Cabar Feidh” at Tel-el-Kebir. His best-known composition is “The 1st Battalion Seaforths’ Farewell to Edinburgh.” Retired in 1888.

McDonald, John. — Pipe-Major, 42nd Highlanders, The Black Watch, to which he transferred from the Inverness Militia in 1865. Piped his battalion — the 42nd — through the jungle warfare, which ended in Coomassie and Amoaful. At Tel-el-Kebir, El Teb, and Tamai he played the regimental charge. In 1885, while stationed at Cairo, he completed twenty-four years' service and retired. For fifteen years thereafter was pipe-major of a Volunteer battalion, and a constant competitor at the Northern Meetings. The “March to Coomassie” is M‘Donald’s outstanding composition.

McDonald, John. — Pipe-Major of the Cameron Highlanders from 1840-49. Is best remembered by his delightful “79th’s Farewell to Gibraltar?"

McDonald, John. — Pipe-Major, 72nd Highlanders. A pupil of John Ban Mackenzie, "King of Pipers.” Accompanied his regiment to Crimea and the Indian Mutiny, and on his return had the honour to be presented to Queen Victoria, who spoke to the pipe-major while the battalion was on parade. M‘Donald had evidently impressed Her Majesty either by his appearance or by his address for he received the Royal command to go to London to be photographed in order that a copy might be preserved in Windsor. A reproduction of this photo appeared in the Illustrated London News of 31st January 1857. After retiring from the army in 1865 he was appointed pipe-major of the Stirlingshire Militia, and still later became piper to the Governor-General of Canada, the Marquess of Lorne.

McDonald, John. — Pipe-Major of the l/4th Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders (Inverness Territorials), this distinguished exponent of pipe music who has been described as "the great artist of the piping world," was mobilised in August 1914 along with his unit and proceeded to training at Bedford where, in consequence of severe illness, he was forced to resign. On recovery was appointed instructor of the Army School of Piping, a post which he resigned in 1920. Winner of all the most important cups and medals during the last twenty years, he is looked upon as one of the three greatest players of pibroch.

McDonald, J. D. — Pipe-Major, 2nd Battn. Scots Guards, 1921-27, is one of the younger school of pipers; has won several prizes at the principal Gatherings and has written a pipe melody for Retreat called “Tamline Bay."

Macdonald, John. — A young Glasgow’ police officer, a native of South Uist, who leapt into the first rank of pipers in 1926 by winning the Oban Gold Medal for pibrochs, reels, and strathspeys, and the 1st at the Northern Meeting for pibrochs and 1st for marches. A pupil of John M‘Donald of Inverness, young Macdonald joined the special reserve of the Camerons at the age of fifteen, in 1913, and in 1917 was in France with the 6th and 7th Battalions of that regiment,

Macdonald, William. — Pipe-Major, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 1880-89, when he became colour-sergeant of a company. Macdonald was an excellent all-round soldier of fine physique and with a high reputation for tossing the caber. With war service ranging from the Nile Expedition of 1884-85, and the Soudan Frontier Field Force operations in 1885-86, to the South African War in 1901 when he served as one of the permanent staff of the Volunteer Battalion, Colour-Sergeant Macdonald retired to civil life in 1908.

M‘Kay, Angus. - Pipe-Major, Stirlingshire Militia, and piper to H.M. Queen Victoria 1839-54. Composed several pipe melodies of high standard, including “The Stirlingshire Militia" and Mrs “M‘Leod of Raasay's Reel.” Is credited with having introduced the present system of fingering in march playing.

M‘Kay, Donald. — Piper to H.R.H. Edward, Prince of Wales, afterwards H.M. King Edward VII. Won Gold Medal of Northern Meeting in 1872. Died 1893.

M*Kay, Hugh. — Piper, 71st Highlanders, in 1840; was later Pipe-Major, Stirlingshire Militia. Composed “Stirlingshire Militia Quickstep” and “Prince of Wales' Welcome to Holyrood Palace.”

M*Kay, Hugh. — Piper, 73rd Regiment. Retired in 1840.

Mackay, John. — A son of Pipe-Major Mackay, K.O.S.B., John Mackay was born in India in 1860; joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and in 1881 became pipe-major; transferred to 4th Battalion in 1885. In 1903 became pipe-major of the Liverpool Scottish. Died 1925. A very fine player, Mackay won the Army Piping Championship in 1888 and the Scottish Open Championship on two occasions. Of his many well-known pipe compositions mention may be made of “The Heir of Lunga,” “The Renfrewshire Militia,” “The Heir of Cloncaild,” and “The Badge of Scotland.”

M‘Kay, Kenneth. — Piper of the 79th Cameron Highlanders 1802-16. Son of Donald M‘Kay, Tongue, Sutherland. Transferred from the Caithness Fencibles to the 79th in 1802. He is remembered for his intrepidity at the battle of Waterloo (for which see the chapter on the “Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders”).

M‘Kellar, Alexander. — Pipe-Major, 78th (Ross-shire Buffs), during Indian Mutiny. Famous by reason of one pipe melody known to everyone, “The Barren Rocks of Aden,” one of the most melodious of pipe marches.

Mackenzie, Alexander, D.C.M. — Joined in 1889 the 2nd Seaforths, of which his father Ronald Mackenzie was pipe-major, but for several years declined the offer made by the colonel of taking the pipe-majorship, electing instead to remain a sergeant. In 1897, however, he acceded to the request and served with his battalion through the campaigns of Hazara (1891), Chitral (1895), and South Africa (1899-1902). Retired in 1907. In 1914 rejoined his regiment and was posted pipe-major of the 8th Battalion. Took part in the battles of Loos and the Somme, and was awarded the D.C.M. for conspicuous gallantry. Was later posted to the 3rd Battalion, and in 1918 was gazetted 2nd lieutenant.

Mackenzie, Ronald. — Father of Alexander, noted above. Was indebted for much of his training to his uncle, John Ban Mackenzie, “King of Pipers." A native of Fodderty, Ross-sbire, he joined the 78th Highlanders in 1860 as a piper and in less than four years was appointed pipe-major, which rank he held until 1879, when he was posted to the Ross-shire Militia. Long regarded as the best piper of his day, Mackenzie's fame began at the age of seventeen when he won at the Northern Meeting the Dirk, Gold Medal, and Set of Pipes in open competition. After the conclusion of his army career he became piper to the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. “The Portree Men” is Ronald’s most notable work.

Mackenzie, Donald. — Son of John Ban Mackenzie, and cousin of Ronald Mackenzie, mentioned above. Served in the Crimean War in the Transport Department and later was appointed Pipe-Major of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. After leaving the army became piper to the Duke of Sutherland.

Mackinnon, William. — Of high reputation as a piper, Mackinnon rose to the rank of major, and made his mark in more than one field. A Lanarkshire man, he joined the 74th Highlanders in 1863 as a piper, and was almost immediately afterwards promoted pipe-major. Quitting that post eleven years later for the post of paymaster-sergeant, he was quickly promoted regimental quartermaster sergeant, and was commissioned Quartermaster of the 4th Battalion. On retiring was given the rank of Major. Died in Glasgow in 1918. Major Mackinnon’s piping successes date from 1864 when he was awarded 1st prize for pibroch and 1st for reels at the Northern Meeting. Of his compositions the most popular are the “71st’s Quickstep" and the “74th's Farewell to Edinburgh."

M‘Lellan, John, D.C.M. — Poet and piper. M‘Lellan won distinction as a soldier piper of the H.L.I. in the South African War, where he was awarded the D.C.M. In the Great War he was again at the Front as a piper in the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and used to occasion considerable surprise to his comrades by composing and writing light verse 100 yards from the German lines. Most of these productions found a place in the newspapers of the West of Scotland. Better known are his pipe melodies the “Clachan Fiddler," a strathspey, “The Taking of Beaumont Hamel," a march, both in the Cowall book; and “The Battle of the bands"——said to be the original air of “The Road to the Isles."

McLennan, Donald. — The youngest son of the late Lieut. John M‘Lennan, Edinburgh Police, an outstanding authority on pipe music. Donald McLennan joined the Scots Guards as a piper in 1919, was promoted pipe-corporal shortly afterwards, and in 1922 was transferred as Pipe-Major of the 3rd Battn. Seaforth Highlanders, getting his rank and place as Pipe-Major of the 1st Battalion in 1925.

Has won many important prizes at all the important meetings.

McLennan, Lieut. John. — One of the most notable authorities on pipe music, this descendant of generations of pipers, pupils of the school of the Mackays of Gairloch, had decided opinions on the manner in which pibrochs should be played, opinions which he expressed in two books published in 1907 and (posthumously) in 1925. The earlier, The Piobaireachd as M'Crimmon played it, created much controversy among pibroch enthusiasts who did not share the ideas formulated by this able and life-long student of the bagpipe and its lore. A teacher of ability, his most distinguished pupils were his two sons, George S. McLennan, late Pipe-Major, Gordon Highlanders, and Donald M‘Lennan, Pipe-Major, 1st Seaforth Highlanders, and his nephew, the late Donald G. M‘Lennan. Though over seventy years old when the Great War broke out, Mr M‘Lennan offered his services in any capacity, was appointed Recruiting Officer in Falkirk, and was rewarded for his zeal and efficiency with the honorary rank of Lieutenant in H.M. Army. He died in 1923.

McLennan, George S. — A son of Lieut. John McLennan, George began his eventful career at the age of ten by playing by royal command before H.M. Queen Victoria; a year later he won the Juvenile National Championship for marches, strathspeys and reels; he won at Edinburgh in 1894 and 1895 the Scottish Amateur Championship. In 1896 and 1897 he won in London the Amateur Championship at the Scottish Gathering there. Joined the Gordon Highlanders in 1899 as a boy piper, and three years later was promoted pipe-major, the youngest in the army with that rank. Since that time Pipe-Major McLennan has been acknowledged as one of the three greatest pipers of the century, with all the gold medals and cups of the principal competitions to his credit. He is also a composer and has two exceptionally fine tunes in the Cowall book: "Inverlochy Castle," and “Conon Bridge," both marches. The pipe-major served with his regiment throughout the Great War. Debonair and kindly, Pipe-Major McLennan, quite unspoiled by his many successes, is a deservedly popular personality.

M‘Leod, Alexander. — Pipe-Major, 26th Cumeronian Regiment, was a well-known composer, his best tunes being “The 26th Cameronians”; “The Drucken Piper”; “Weel Dune, my Hielan’ Lads”; “The Wee Sergeant's March”: “March to Pretoria”; “Relief of Mafeking”; and the “Sirdar’s Welcome to Edinburgh.”

M‘Leod, John. — Pipe-Major, 93rd Sutherland Highlanders during the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny periods. Introduced the tune “Green Hills of Tyrol” in 1854 after hearing Sardinian Band play Rossini’s William Telly in which the Tyrolean air occurs. See chapter on the “ Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.”

M‘Leod, Kenneth, D.C.M. — A stalwart piper of Stornoway who joined the Gordon Highlanders and distinguished himself in the South African War, gaining the D.C.M. for conspicuous gallantry. Rejoined for the Great War and was appointed Pipe-Major, 11th Bn. Gordons —later 51st (Young Soldiers’) Battalion.

M'Leod, Norman. — Pipe-Major, 78th Seaforth Highlanders, and afterwards of the Argyll and Bute Militia. Served throughout the Indian Mutiny and played on the historic march to the relief of Lucknow. Composed many excellent tunes, the best known of which is probably “Dunolly Castle,” a march.

McMillan, Donald. — Pipe-Major, 1st Lovat Scouts, 1914-1918. A first-class piper whose emigration to Detroit is regarded as a loss to Scottish pipe playing.

M‘Phedran, Archibald. — Pipe-Major, 7th Battn. H.LI., pupil of and successor to J. McDougall Gillies, Manager, Peter Henderson & Co., Glasgow.

Macrae, Angus. — Blair-Atholl. Piper, Scottish Horse. A successful competitor at all Highland Gatherings. Was for many years piper to Lord Charles Beresford in the Royal Navy. Served throughout the Great War.

Macrae, Donald. — Pipe-Major, 72nd, from 1784-89, of 78th, 1793-1801. Won 1st prize for piping in Edinburgh in 1791. In 1835 at age of 80 again competed and was awarded a special silver medal.

M'Sporran, Duncan. — Pipe-Major, 10th Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Served throughout the Great War and played his battalion into action at Longueval and other engagements. A fine pibroch player.

Matheson, Alexander. — A Golspie man who at the age of seventeen accompanied the Duke of Sutherland as piper on yachting voyage round the world. Played before the King of Siam and the Sultan of Johore. In 1889 was appointed Pipe-Major, 1st Royal Scots. Served in South African War and after that was posted Pipe-Major to 3rd Battalion. Retired to pension in 1912. Winner of many prizes.

Matheson, Dugald. — Pipe-Major, 2nd Battn. Cameron Highlanders, 1913-19. Born at Kyle of Lochalsh. Served with his battalion in Salonica as sergeant in charge of snipers. Severely wounded, he was on recovery posted to the 3rd Battalion and later was selected for training for commission. Holds four Gold Medals for pipe playing in South Africa. His pipe melody “The Battle of the Struma" is descriptive of the Camerons' part in that action.

Mathieson, D. B., D.C.M. — Pipe-Major, 1st Battn. Seaforth Highlanders throughout the Great War. See chapter on “Seaforth Highlanders."

Mauchline, James. — 78th Seaforth Highlanders. Composer of the “Skye Crofters"; “Here's to him that’s ower the Water"; “Ada Crawford," a strathspey; and the “Barren Rocks of Aden" which Alex. McKellar improved. Was instructor to Scottish Pipers’ Society.

Meldrum, Robert. — Born at Feam, Ross-shire; enlisted when sixteen years old as a piper in the 78th. Four years later was transferred as Pipe-Major to the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders with which he served for nineteen years. From 1887-92 was Pipe-Major 3rd Battn. Cameron Highlanders which he rejoined in 1914, continuing with it until 1918 when he was appointed Instructor of the Boy Pipers of Queen Victoria School, Dunblane. Pipe-Major Meldrum has always been one of the most popular figures in the piping world. In the painting of the colonel, the major, and the adjutant made on the occasion of the amalgamation of the 93rd with the 91st as the 2nd Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipe-Major Meldrum has his place along with the regimental sergeant-major. One of the best players of pibroch, Pipe-Major Meldrum can point to his Championship Medal won in 1884, and to another won in 1890. His compositions include “The 93rd’s Farewell to Edinburgh“, "The Doune of Rothiemurchus”; and “The Bridge of Bogie.”

Milne, James, D.C.M. — See chapter on "Gordon Highlanders.”

Paton, James. — Pipe-Major, 79th Cameron Highlanders, which he joined in 1855. Promoted pipe-major 1868. Served in the Indian Mutiny. Retired in 1877.

Reid, Robert. — Pipe-Major, 7th Battn. H.L.I. One of the foremost of the younger pipers, Reid, a pupil of McDougall Gillies, and a member of the pipe band of the 5th H.L.I., of which Gillies was pipe-major, served from 1912 to 1918 as a piper, his active service being spent in Palestine and France, 1915-18. Among his prizes are: Gold Medal, with three clasps, for pibroch, at Northern Meeting; Gold Medal for pibroch at Argyllshire Meeting and the Dunstaffnage Cup; Crieff Gold Medal for pibroch, 1923; first prize “American Clansmen's Medal” for pibroch, 1926; Brymay Challenge Trophy (Cowal), 1921 and 1926; the Glen Caladh Challenge Trophy (Cowal) 1925 and 1926, besides being one of the leading prize-winners at the Gatherings held at Bridge of Allan, Callander, Luss, Strathendrick, Lochaber, Aboyne, and Braemar.

Richardson, James, V.C. — Piper, 16th Canadian Scottish. See chapter on "Pipers of Canadian Forces.”

Ross, Geohoe. — Pipe-Major, 2nd Battn. the Black Watch, 1887-1905. An excellent, “all-round” player and a composer of several popular pipe melodies, with prizes won at the Dublin, Oban, and Northern Meetings, including the Gold Medals of the two last-named places; and the Scottish Pipers’ Society Badge. After taking part in the South African War, Ross was one of the British Army representatives at the Australian Commonwealth Inauguration Ceremony, 1902.

Ross, William. — Piper, 42nd Royal Highlanders, 1839-54. Took part in Crimean War. Composer of “The Alma.” In 1855 was appointed piper to H.M. Queen Victoria. Published in 1876 a collection of pipe music to which was prefixed an essay on “The Bagpipe and its Music” by the Rev. Dr Norman MacLeod, Ross died in 1891 deplored by the Queen in her “Journal.”

Ross, William (Ross-shire). — Pipe-Major, 42nd Royal Highlanders. Brother of George, mentioned above. Left the 2nd Battn. the Black Watch in 1894 for the pipe-majorship of the 1st Battn. Seaforth Highlanders. Served in the Egyptian and Sudan Campaigns 1898, and was wounded at Atbara while playing “Cabar Feidh” to his battalion in action. Was appointed Pipe-Major, Permanent Staff, Highland Light Infantry, in 1900. Was chosen to accompany the Scottish Curlers to Canada, 1911-12. Retired from the army in 1912 but soon after rejoined the Territorial Service — 4th Battn. Royal Scots (Queen's Edinburgh) — with which he continued till 1916 (Home Service). Though not fond of competition, Pipe-Major Ross is regarded as an excellent piper, in token of which his Gold Medal won in 1903 at Oban is testimony.

Ross, William.—Pipe-Major, 2nd Scots Guards. Born at Glenstrathfarrar in 1879. Learned to play from his father and mother, both skilful pipers. In 1896 enlisted in the Scots Guards. Took part in the South African War, for which he holds the Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. Medals, the former with six clasps, the latter with two. In the Great War Pipe-Major Ross served with his battalion from the commencement till June 1918, when owing to acute rheumatism, he was invalided out of the Service. Is now Instructor of School for Army Pipers, Edinburgh Castle.

In four successive years he held the title of Champion All-Round Piper of Scotland, a record entitling him to the Macdonald Shield. Seven times winner of the Championship Gold Clasp at Inverness; and eight times winner of the Lochaber Gold Medal with six clasps. To Ross has also been awarded the following much coveted distinctions: Dunmore Gold Star, Scottish Pipers’ Society’s Badge, Crieff’s Gold Medal for “All Round Championship,” Highland Society’s Gold Medal, Argyllshire Gathering's Silver Medal, Newcastle Champion’s Gold Medal, Pibroch Society’s Gold Medal and Clasp, Dunstaffnage Silver Cup, Lindsay Trophy, Culter Trophy, twice winner of Lawrie Trophy and thrice winner of Braemar Championship. Has published book of pipe tunes. Ross’s handsome figure in Scotland's premier regiment, his prominence in all musical events before H.M. the King — who honoured the piper with the Medal of the Royal Victorian Order - have made Ross known to most Londoners. To a still wider circle he is, thanks to his gramophone records, equally well known. Such widely different periodicals as the British Boy's Own Paper and the French Nos Loisirs have extolled the genius and portrayed the person of the genial piper.

Smith, John. — Pipe-Major, 93rd Highlanders. See chapter on “Gordon Highlanders.”

Stewart, James. — Piper, Cameron Highlanders. See chapter on “Cameron Highlanders.”

Sutherland, James. — Pipe-Major, 1st Battn. Seaforth Highlanders 1893-95. Saw service in Egypt. Pipe-Major Edinburgh O.T.C. 1908. Was in 1912 appointed Pipe-Major of 5th Royal Scots (T.F.) Queen's Edinburgh. In 1915, on the eve of the battalion’s departure for Gallipoli was rejected for active service and transferred to the Reserve, becoming Pipe-Major of the 1st Volunteer Battn. Royal Scots. Composed “3rd Seaforth’s Farewell to Cairo." Is regarded as an excellent piper and Highland dancer. Winner of medals at Oban, Inverness, and elsewhere.

Taylor, George Douglas. — Well-known in London as a teacher of Highland dancing, Pipe-Major Taylor was Pipe-Major of the 4th Royal Scots (Queen’s Edinburgh Rifles) from 1902-4, and Pipe Instructor to the Royal Caledonian School at Bushey from 1904-8. In August 1914 was appointed Pipe-Major of the 7th Battn. King's Own Scottish Borderers. At the battle of Loos he was severely wounded while acting as stretcher-bearer and was discharged in consequence of these wounds.

Taylor, James. — Son of Henderson Taylor, a well-known piper of Reay, Caithness. Entered the 1st Battn. Seaforth Highlanders as a piper in 1895 and took part in the Crete Expedition, 1897, and in the Soudan Campaign. In 1904 was transferred to the 1st Battn. Highland Light Infantry as Pipe-Major. Posted to 3rd Highland Light Infantry in 1910; demobilised 1919. Pipe-Major Taylor is one of the finest of pibroch players and is much in demand as a judge in piping competitions. Pipe-Major Taylor has several tuneful compositions to his credit, two of which, “The Medium Spree" and “Dreghorn Castle," are in the Cowal Collection.

Taylor, William. — A brother of James Taylor noted above. Joined 1st Battn. Seaforth Highlanders in 1894 and saw service in Malta, Crete, and the Soudan. In 1900 was promoted pipe-major, and in 1909 was posted to 3rd Battalion. In 1914 was appointed Pipe-Major to the 7th Battalion. Was mentioned in despatches for his work as a stretcher-bearer, and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Croix de Guerre. Since 1919 has been instructor of piping and dancing to the Queen Victoria School, Dunblane. Won the Gold Medal at Oban 1920.

Thomson, Colin. — Pipe-Major, 1st Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 1894-1904; of 3rd Battn. Seaforth Highlanders, 1904-8, when he transferred to the 5th (Territorial) Battalion, with which he remained until the close of the Great War. A pupil of Ranald Mackenzie and of “Sandy” Cameron, Thomson quickly proved his abilities by winning most of the prizes in the North between 1890 and 1894; in 1894 he won the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting for marches, was 2nd in 1892 and 1st in 1893; at Stamford Bridge in 1895 he won 2nd prize for pibroch, and 1st for marches, strathspeys, and reels in 1896. Marches, schottisches, and jigs are favourite subjects, and of these he has composed and published a collection.

Weatherspoon, James, D.C.M. — Piper, 42nd Highlanders. See chapter on “The Black Watch.”