The National Piping Centre have donated a trophy for the winner of the MSR at this year’s R.G. Hardie & Co. Masters piping competition. This is in memory of the much loved friend and instructor at the NPC, Willie Beveridge who passed in November 2023.
Willie started teaching at the NPC in 1996 when the Centre opened and this continued until two years ago when, at the age of 84, he decided it was time to retire.
He was born in March 1937 in Kinning Park Glasgow and started piping aged 12 with the Boys Brigade. He was taught by a neighbour and family friend, the legendary Donald MacLeod, with whom he travelled to many competitions.
Willie was a corporal in the Royal Scots and was posted to Berlin where among many of the prisoners of war he guarded was Rudolph Hess.
He played in many of the top pipe bands including Renfrew, British Caledonian Airways and Scottish Power Pipe Bands. He was a popular and well respected instructor who made everyone feel welcome and always made time to chat with pupils, staff and visitors to the centre. He is sadly missed by all at the National Piping Centre and are delighted that his trophy will be presented to the winner of the MSR by his daughter Anne.
Piping Convenor Wilson Brown told Bagpipe News: “It is fitting that Willie’s memory and legacy will now be associated with one of the world’s top solo piping competitions through the annual presentation of this trophy”.
The R.G. Hardie & Co. Masters is part of Piping Live’s live stream offering and a pass can be obtained from the links below.
- The R.G. Hardie & Co. Masters Piobaireachd; this will be live in real time from 08.30am on Monday 12th August
- The R.G. Hardie & Co. Masters March, Strathspey & Reel; this will be live in real time from 5.00pm on Monday 12th August