Tributes paid to Pipe Major Ian McLellan 1937-2025

By
John Slavin
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0
1882

Many tributes have been paid across social media for Pipe Major Ian McLellan after the news of his passing was announced on the evening of December 3, 2025. Ian is one of the giants in the piping world, and NPC instructor Wilson Brown recalls joining Ian’s band and the life-long impression Ian made on him.

By Wilson Brown

I joined Strathclyde Police in late 1982 and did not expect to be involved with the band for a few years. However I was called up almost immediately to play in the competitions.

Ian McLellan also thought it would be good for me to get to know the band members during this period so arrangements were made with my bosses at Maryhill Police Office to travel with the band to play as the guest band at Halkirk Highland Games. This was a tradition dating back many years and I was already aware of the stories of the Halkirk trip!

The bus journey was memorable as light refreshments were consumed and the bus journey, maybe 6/7 hours in the early 80s, was an eye opener for a young man from Crieff.

Bellahouston Park, 1984 and Strathclyde Police runs through its set. Front rank, L-R: P.M. Ian McLellan, Harry McAleer, John Wilson, Angus J. 2nd rank: Jim MacLean, John Winter, Wilson Brown, Barry Donaldson. 3rd rank: Alasdair Ross, Neil Strickland, Sid Spence, Jim Wark.

On arriving at Halkirk, we were met by the local community and Ian took me under his wing and we found our digs for the weekend and the host insisted on preparing ‘supper’ for us, by this time it was the early hours on the morning. My last instruction from the pipe major was don’t be late – 9am report, full number one dress.

Needless to say I was a bit ‘tired’ in the morning but was met by the pipe major, full number one dress, and as smart as I’ve seen in that uniform, with no sign of the late night. That taught  me an important lesson that I have tried to live by, yes enjoy the company of your friends and band mates however you always turn up on time, no excuses,  ready for whatever is required — even though inside that is the last thing you want to do.

Ian set very high standards and encouraged, no expected, those around him to follow his example. He was a true leader and a formidable force with an outstanding record of success both with the band and as a solo piper. I was fortunate to be part of this story and one I can look back on with great memories of the boss, the Pipe Major Ian McLellan.    

Ian McLellan, Inspector Dugald Gillespie and Alex Connell in 1979 after winning the Worlds that year which was held in Nottingham, England.
•Pipe Major Ian McLellan, Inspector Dugald Gillespie and Alex Connell in 1979 after winning the Worlds which that year was held in Nottingham, England.
•Pipe Major Ian McLellan
Ian McLellan and James Campbell listen as Jake Robertson plays.
Ian McLellan and James Campbell listen as Jake Robertson plays at the unveiling of the Pipe Major Ian McLellan portrait.

Pipe Major Ian McLellan was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2008