This recital was the 5th since the inception of the Society and our guests on this occasion were both ex-Scots Guards Pipe Majors.
 
Pipe Major ANGUS MacDONALD, M.B.E.
Angus was born in 1938 and began his piping career at Queen Victoria School in Dunblane at the age of 11, his first tutor was P.M. George Sanderson at Dunblane. In 1953 Angus joined the army and received tuition from 'Curly' Roe and piobaireachd from the Queen’s Piper, Alex MacDonald, (no relation). Angus’s father was also called Alex MacDonald and was one of the great pipers in the Glasgow Police Pipe Band. During his army career he also received instruction from John MacLellan M.B.E. and was Pipe Major of the 1st Battalion The Scots Guards from 1965 until he retired in 1983. After the army he played with the British Caledonian Airways Pipe Band, later to become the Power of Scotland Pipe Band. In recognition of his services to piping Angus was awarded the M.B . E. in 1983.
Some of his most notable successes are: Gold Medal (Oban) 1963, Overall Grants Champion 1976 and 1982, Falkirk Tryst Champion Piob and M.S.R. 1981, M.S.R. (Inverness) 3 times, M.S.R. (London) 5 times. He has also won the Bratach Gorm and the Ghillies Cup in London. Angus has composed many fine tunes and has two books of music published.
 
Pipe Major BRIAN DONALDSON, 1st Battalion Scots Guards
Pipe Major Brian Donaldson from Cardenden, Fife, was taught to play the bagpipes from the age of five by his father, Pipe Major Andrew Donaldson, himself a piper and teacher of renown. Brian played with the world famous Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band in the 1970s winning all the major championships in Grade 1 with the band. At the age of 15, on leaving school, Brian became an apprentice bagpipe maker at Inveran House in Stockbridge, Edinburgh where he was taught the art of bagpipe making by Jimmy Tweedie, a master bagpipe maker. In 1978 Brian enlisted in the Scots Guards and passed his Pipe Major's course at the Army School of Piping, Edinburgh Castle in 1982. After returning from active service in the Falkland Islands was posted to the Castle as an instructor for three years before returning to the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards where he became Pipe Sergeant. He subsequently became Pipe Sergeant of the 1st Battalion after both Battalions amalgamated in 1993 and was appointed Pipe Major in 1995. In May 1998 Pipe Major Donaldson was posted to the Army Training Regiment at Glencourse as the senior piping instructor and in April 1999 was involved in the merger of The Army School of Bagpipe Music and The Army Piping and Drumming Wing, under the new title 'The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming'. Brian served in this post until he completed his 22 years service in June 2000. He now has returned to Inveran Bagpipes which he runs with Donald MacFarlane. A brief list of his achievements in solo piping would include: Gold Medal and Clasp (Skye) 1984, Senior M.S.R. (Oban and Inverness) 1984, Bratach Gorm (London) 1984, Senior M.S.R. (London) 1985, Gold Medal (Oban) 1990, Clasp (Skye) 1990, M.S .R. (Glenfiddich Championships) 1990. He has won the Senior M.S.R. at Oban on no less than four occasions.

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