By Jeannie Campbell MBE
Today, December 17, 2025 marks the centenary of the death of John MacDougall Gillies, an important figure not just in Glasgow but in the entire piping world. He had many firsts in different aspects of piping. He was the first gold medallist to lead a pipe band in competition, the first to win the World pipe band championship at Cowal, the first winner of the Piobaireachd contest at Cowal, the first winner of the Northern Meeting Clasp, the joint first winner of the Open Contest at the Argyllshire Gathering and the first President of the Scottish Pipers’ Association. He left a manuscript of piobaireachd containing 80 tunes and was renowned as a teacher, with many Gold Medallists among his students. Although not a prolific composer he did have a couple of tunes published, Corrychoillie’s Gift a 6/8 and The Glasgow Highland Club, a 2/4, both in Henderson’s Tutor. PM William Gray named a strathspey John MacDougall Gillies, published in his own collection and also in Edcath Book 1. In addition, the Gillies family was responsible for the naming of one of the most well known and popular pipe tunes, Glendaruel Highlanders.
Although John MacDougall Gillies was born in Aberdeen, the Gillies family had its roots in Glendaruel, Argyll. It was probably to emphasise this connection that he began to use his middle name of MacDougall during his piping career. In fact many records state that he was born in Glendaruel but this has been proved not to be the case.
John’s grandfather Alasdair or Alexander Gillies was born at Strachur in about 1798 and was married there on the June 16, 1823, to Mary MacDougall. Their eldest son John was born at Kilmodan on the October 12, 1825, and he was followed by Archibald in 1829, Hector in 1831 and Violet in 1837.
John Gillies moved to Aberdeen where he became a granite worker and marble polisher. He lived in Skene Street, in Aberdeen. On April 1, 1854, John married Isabella Smith who was living in Forbes Street, Aberdeen, although she had been born in Glasgow in 1825. Their first child was born on the May 20, 1855, at 126 Gallowgate, Aberdeen. His birth certificate shows that his surname was Gillies and his forenames were John MacDougall. The MacDougall connection came from his grandmother Mary MacDougall. A second son, Hector, was born in 1857 and a third son, Alexander in 1859.
In 1861 the census lists the family at in Gerrard St, Aberdeen. John 35 was a Marble Polisher born at Kilmodan and his wife Isabella 34, was born in Glasgow. Their sons were John 6, Scholar, Hector 4, and Alexander 2.
John and his brother Alexander began to learn piping at an early age, having tuition at first from Alexander Fettes who was pipe major of the Aberdeen Rifle Volunteers from 1865 to 1879. It was Fettes who composed The Glendaruel Highlanders, which he named for the Gillies family. This is his only known composition. The story of the name was told in the Inverness Courier on January 5, 1926, in an article entitled ‘Famous Pipe Tunes. Which is the Most Popular?’ The article went on, ‘The most familiar of all bagpipe tunes are probably Johnny Cope and The Glendaruel Highlanders. During the war Johnny Cope, the Jocks’ reveille, woke morning echoes in many strange parts of the world. By September 1914 boys in Bedford whistled it. It would be identified today all over Northern France, on the Rhine, in Gallipoli and Palestine, says a writer in the Evening News, as an air that goes with kilts, early morning hours, and years of battle.
‘Glendaruel Highlanders is a march that, while not so strictly a part of the ritual of Highland regiments, was oftener heard at the front than the National Anthem. In the earlier part of the war the only musical instruments with the British Army were the bugle and the bagpipes; few days passed for Scottish regiments without stirring blast from Glendaruel. Long before the war, and since, it was, and has been, about the most popular item on a piper’s programme. The man who composes a good pipe tune is to be envied. Rags, waltzes, foxtrots, and parlour songs pass into oblivion a year or two after they come into being, but a good pipe tune goes all over the Anglo-Celtic world and has the classic permanence of a masterpiece by Beethoven or a poem of Burns.
‘Unfortunately the composer’s name is rarely of any importance to the public, though good old pipers treasure it. One hopes that a certain old man in Port Elizabeth, South Africa realised from 1914 to 1918 that Glendaruel Highlanders, creation of his youth, was helping hundreds of thousands of his countrymen along the weary roads of war.
‘The tune was composed in 1870 by one who probably never saw Glendaruel, and was himself, no Highlander. Not infrequently it has been attributed to Pipe Major John MacDougall Gillies, who died the other day in Glasgow, and who was a native of Glendaruel, but its sole begetter was Alexander Fettes, a native of Aboyne, Deeside.
About 1870, Fettes, who was a stone mason to trade, was pipe major to the Aberdeen Volunteers, and young MacDougall Gillies was for a while in his band. Fettes composed a march without a name, and it was on the suggestion of MacDougall Gillies’s father it was finally called The Glendaruel Highlanders.
‘Alexander Fettes subsequently went to South Africa to be pipe major to the Port Elizabeth Volunteers. He became a contractor; was, more than once, mayor of the town, and was for many years chairman of the Hospital Board. After the Union he represented Port Elizabeth in the Cape Provincial Council, attending the Provincial Parliament every year at Cape Town. “A short, stout man with a grizzled beard, very modest and retiring; in every respect a kindly, loveable gentleman,” he was described to me by one who knew him well in Africa. He could not speak Gaelic but had studied the language to some extent. He died in 1922, but his tune goes marching on.’
Gillies enlisted in the Aberdeen Rifle Volunteers, 3rd Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders, in 1872 and played in the band under Pipe Major Alexander Fettes. John also had tuition from William Murray, pipe major of the 78th Highlanders. Murray came from Reay, near Thurso, where he had been taught piping by his father. Murray was considered to be highly intelligent and an excellent performer, and in 1866 he was appointed ‘Professor of Piping’ at the Army Depot in Aberdeen. This was the first attempt to establish an Army School of Piping, but apparently it was not very successful, for it lasted only a few years. Another of Murray’s pupils at this time was Robert Meldrum, later to become a notable player. It has been said that Meldrum had tuition from Murray and passed on what he learned to Gillies. But it was not until he began his association with Alexander Cameron, that Gillies was able to have serious tuition in piobaireachd.
Alexander Cameron 1848-1923, was the second son of Donald Cameron. In 1867 he was Piper to Mr Malcolm, Dunoon, and from 1870 to 1880 Piper to Marquis of Huntly. He was employed in Lord Provost’s office Glasgow by 1890 and tested chanters for Peter Henderson and Glens. By 1898 he was piper to Cameron of Locheil. He won the Prize Pipe at the Northern Meeting in1 867 and the Former Winners Medal in 1870. John MacDougall Gillies is said to have been present on that occasion and afterwards said he had never heard anything finer than Alick Cameron’s tune My King has Landed in Moidart.
In the 1871 census the family was living at 76 Gerrard St. John 45, was still a Marble Polisher, wife Isabella was 44, John 15 was a House Painter and Alexander 12 was a Message Boy. The second son, Hector had died aged 7 in 1864.
In the 1870s Gillies began to play in competitions. His first prize came at Braemar in 1875 when he won first for piobaireachd. The tune he played was MacCrimmon’s Sweetheart. His obituary said that Gillies finished the tune ‘with a different flourish from that known today,’ which was probably something he had learned from Alick Cameron.
The results at Braemar were, ‘Mr Jamieson’s Challenge Cup for Bagpipe Music: J Hunter, Balmoral Castle. Cup and One Pound from the Society for Pibroch Playing (3 competitors): 1. Shoulder Brooch value £3, John MacDougall Gillies, 1st ARV; 2. Sgian Dhu. Strathspey and Reel (4 competitors):1. Value £1.10s, Mr Charles Munro, Mar Lodge. Marches, silver medal and a volume of Ross’s Collection of Pipe Music, the gift of the Queen, James Hunter, Balmoral Castle; 2. Robert Ireland, piper, 93rd Highlanders, sporran, value £1.10s; 3. Robert Moor, piper to Colonel Macdonald of St Martins, practising chanter, value 10s 6d.’
In July 1876 the result for piobaireachd at the Dundee Celtic Club Games. Was: 1st J Roberts, Edinburgh; 2nd G M’Pherson, Dunkeld; 3rd J M Gillies, Aberdeen.
His first success at the Northern Meeting came in 1876 when the piobaireachd result was: 1. (A handsome set of bagpipes) George Macdonald, South Morar, Inverness-shire; 2. (Elegant silver brooch) John Macdougall Gillies, 2 Kingsland Place, Aberdeen; 3. (Silver-mounted snuff-mull) D Macphee, bagpipe maker, 17 Royal Arcade, Glasgow; then in 1882 he won the Prize Pipe and was 3rd for Strathspeys and Marches, then second in 1883 and third again in 1884.
In January 1877 a report of a social evening held by the Aberdeen Highland Association stated, ‘At intervals during the evening selections of bagpipe music were also discoursed by Messrs John Grant, J M Gillies, and Alexr Gillies; and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent, the company separating at 11 o’clock.’
A notice appeared in the Aberdeen Journal on November 17, 1880. ‘Notice of Dissolution. The Firm of Anderson & Gillies, Painters, 7 Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen, was Dissolved on the 16th Day of November, 1880, by mutual consent. Thomas Anderson, of the said Firm, now Dissolved, will carry on Business on his own account, as Painter, &c., at No 4 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, and John MacDougall Gillies, the other Partner of the said Firm, will continue to carry on Business on his own account, as Painter &c., in the said Premises occupied by the late Firm.’
During the 1880s Gillies competed many times all around the country. Perhaps now, having his own business he was able to take time away whenever possible, which would not have been easy when he was employed.
At the time of the 1881 census John was still living with his parents John and Isabella and his brother Alexander at 2 Kingsland Place in Aberdeen. John senior was still working as a marble polisher and Alexander aged 22 was a stone cutter. John junior was a master painter employing two men and two boys. Later that year Gillies was married on the December 30, 1881, at 160 Hutcheon Street, Aberdeen, to Margaret Grieve Low aged 22, a dressmaker, daughter of David Low, a joiner and Mary, maiden surname Willox. Gillies was aged 26, a house painter and lived at 2 Kingsland Place, Aberdeen. His brother Alexander was one of the witnesses. After the marriage the couple lived at 158 Hutcheon Street, where their first child, a daughter was born on November 29, 1882, and named Mary Willox Gillies. Sadly she died aged 7 in 1890. The family’s address became 160 Hutcheon Street and another daughter Isabella Smith Gillies was born in 1884. A third daughter, named Margaret Low Gillies was born in 1887 but died aged 2 in 1890. 160 Hutcheon Street was the address given for Gillies in reports of the Northern Meeting 1883‑1884.
Gillies competed many times at the Breadalbane Gathering, being listed as J M Gillies, Aberdeen, 1881 to 1887, J MacDougall Gillies, Taymouth in 1888 and J MacDougall Gillies, Glasgow, in 1890. These dates illustrate clearly his different locations during his lifetime.
In 1885 he won the Piobaireachd competition at Stamford Bridge in London and won further prizes there in 1887 and 1900. In 1887 he was a prize winner at the Highland Games held at the Manchester Exhibition.
During the 1880s he won the top prizes: the Prize Pipe at the Northern Meeting in 1882, The Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering in 1884, and the Former Winners Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting in 1885. John’s younger brother Alexander was making his presence known in competition too, winning many prizes around the games. In 1886 Alexander Gillies was placed second in the Prize Pipe competition at the Northern Meeting.
Then, around the end of 1887 or the beginning of 1888, came an important turning point in John’s life. Duncan MacDougall retired as leading piper to the Marquis of Breadalbane at Taymouth Castle, and the position was offered to Gillies. Without hesitation he abandoned the painting trade and became, at last, a full-time piper.
Taymouth was at this time a great centre for piping, with a number of pipers employed in various capacities on the estate. In fact there was a Breadalbane pipe band which was active in the years from 1882, when a report described a band of 16 pipers under Pipe Major Duncan MacDougall. Later Duncan Campbell who had been Pipe Sergeant under Duncan MacDougall took over as Pipe Major and was still leading the band in 1900. In addition Alexander Cameron used to visit while Gillies was there.
The happy time at Taymouth did not last. The story goes that Lady Breadalbane arrived home from London after a disastrous session at the gaming tables. The sight of so many non-productive employees aroused her newly won economising instincts and she ordered Gillies to start sweeping the leaves from the driveways. Gillies immediately packed up and departed, home to Aberdeen again. Gillies competed many times when at Taymouth, including winning the march at the Argyllshire Gathering in 1889. The first time he was described in competition reports as Piper to the Marquis of Breadalbane was in 1888 and the last time was in October 1889.
1889 was a successful year for him, as described in the Oban Times of November 16, 1889. ‘Success of a Native at Highland Gatherings. The many friends of Mr John MacDougall Gillies will be pleased to learn of his brilliant successes at various Highland meetings during the past season. Mr Gillies, who is a native of Argyllshire, and late piper to the Marquis of Breadalbane, has gained more laurels in the form of first prizes for piobaireachd playing at open competitions than has fallen to the lot of any other competitor at the many Highland Gatherings that have taken place throughout the country. At the Edinburgh Highland Society’s gathering he was 1st for piobaireachd; Strathallan, 1st for piobaireachd, 5th for marches, strathspeys and reels; Luss, 1st for marches, 4th for strathspeys and reels; Crieff, 3rd for marches; Callander, 3rd for piobaireachd, 2nd for marches; Breadalbane, 3rd for piobaireachd; Birnam, 1st for piobaireachd, 1st for marches, 3rd for strathspeys and reels; Badenoch and Rothiemurchus, 1st for piobaireachd, 2nd for marches, 3rd for strathspeys and reels; Blair Athole, 1st for piobaireachd, Lochaber, 4th for piobaireachd; Argyllshire, 1st for marches; Northern Meeting, 2nd for marches, 2nd for strathspeys and reels, and at Glasgow, 1st for marches. He also attended the great International Highland Gathering held at Paris, and wrested from the hands of the numerous competitors, who were confined to the military and reserve forces, the 1st prize for marches, thus making his total honours to be eleven 1st, five 2nd, six 3rd, two 4th and one 5th prize, out of fifteen gatherings.’
But all was not well at home. His wife Margaret was seriously ill with tuberculosis and she died in January 1890 aged only thirty-one. Two of their three daughters died that year also. Gillies was left with his little daughter aged five, a difficult situation for a working man, so Isabella went to live with her maternal grandparents and Gillies himself went to Glasgow. In August 1890 he was described in competition reports as J MacDougall Gillies, Glasgow. The decision to go to Glasgow may have depended on a number of reasons. He may have wanted to get away after the death of his wife and two daughters, he may have had relatives in Glasgow as his mother was born there, or it may have been the fact that Alexander Cameron had left the Marquis of Huntly’s employ and gone to Glasgow where he was employed as piper to the Lord Provost. There had been piping competitions in Glasgow since 1841 and Gillies had already competed there, winning prizes in 1883, 1884, 1888, 1889 and 1890. In 1889 he appeared as J M Gillies, Taymouth and in 1890 as J M Gillies, Aberdeen.
At the time of the 1891 census Gillies had lodgings in the same tenement flat as his friend and tutor, at 61 Grove Street, Cowcaddens, where there were two rooms for the family and two rooms for the lodgers. John and Jean Gordon had sons aged 15 and 13, daughters of 12 and 6, John Gordon’s widowed mother aged 70 lived with them and they had 3 lodgers, Alexander Cameron, unmarried, aged 43, Piper, born in the Black Isle, Ross‑shire, James MacKenzie, unmarried, aged 43, Waiter, born at Contin, Ross‑shire, and John McD Gillies, aged 35, a widower, house painter, born in Aberdeen. All three lodgers spoke Gaelic and English.
On September 11, 1891, Gillies was married for the second time, at Clutha Villa, Cardross, Dunbartonshire. He was then aged 36, a widower, a house painter journeyman, living at 61 Grove Street, Glasgow. His wife Maggie McCulloch was aged 22 and the daughter of James McCulloch, Innkeeper, deceased and Hannah, maiden surname Grimmond, deceased. John’s parents, John and Isabella were still living. By 1893 Gillies had moved to 13 Willowbank Crescent, just off Woodlands Road, Glasgow where his son Alastair was born on July 3, 1893. His daughter Isabella came to live with them and a second son, Ian MacDougall was born on the June 9, 1904, also at Willowbank Crescent. John was still a house painter journeyman at this time.
The first Cowal Gathering took place on August 11, 1894. The results for Open piping were, Pibrochs: 1. J McDougall Gillies, Glasgow; 2. PM D Campbell, Hamilton; 3. D Mather, Lochcarron; 4. Farquhar McRae, Glasgow. Marches: 1. Angus McRae, Callander; 2. D Mather; 3. PM D Campbell; 4. Alex. Robertson, Troon. Reels and Strathspeys: 1. D Mather; 2. Farquhar McRae; 3. Angus McRae; 4. PM D Campbell. The judges for piping were PM MacKay, Paisley; Mr R F Robertson and Captain Paterson.
In 1894 the Argyllshire Gathering had an additional event for a special Piobaireachd Champion prize, open to all comers who have won a first prize in the Gold Medal competition at the Argyllshire Gathering. There were 5 entries and the winner was J MacDougall Gillies, Gold Medal and £3.
He was the first man ever to receive the actual Clasp at the Northern Meeting in 1896. The Glasgow Herald reported, ‘Among the new features introduced was a pipe music competition in pibrochs among former medallists at this meeting, the prize being a gold clasp for attachment to the medal already won, and £2. There were six entries, and a Glasgow exponent of the art, Pipe Major J MacDougall Gillies was the successful competitor. His playing was marked by very fine time, phrasing and expression’. The full result was: 1. PM J MacDougall Gillies, 1st VB Highland Light Infantry, Glasgow; 2. PM Donald Matheson, Hamilton: 3 Angus Macrae, Havelock House, Nairn; 4. John MacColl, Kilbowie Cottage, Oban.’
In 1897 he won the Strathspey and Reel at the Northern Meeting and in 1899 he won the Piobaireachd at Inveraray. In 1901 he tied with John MacColl for first place in the first Open Piobaireachd competition at the Argyllshire Gathering.
Soon after his arrival in Glasgow Gillies joined the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry and was appointed Pipe Major of the Battalion in 1891. Some of the first pipe band competitions were held in Glasgow during the 1890s and Gillies and the pipe band of the H.L.I. are known to have taken part. Some of these early contests were held at Ibrox stadium. The band also played at many events all around the country. In November 1891 advertisements for the Bazaar of the Clyde Volunteer brigade stated that The String and Military Bands of the Regiment under Bandmaster Wilhelm Iff, and the Pipers under Pipe-Major MacDougall Gillies would perform daily. Other reports stated Herr Wilhelm Iff’s splendid bands, and the pipers of Pipe-Major MacDougall Gillies, discoursed a number of choice selections each day.
On November 30, 1898, a story with the heading ‘Sir Henry Irving and the Highland Bagpipes’ appeared in the Aberdeen Journal; ‘The other evening when the 1st Highland Light Infantry V. B. were giving a complimentary dinner to their adjutant, Captain F Whistler, in the Windsor Hotel, Glasgow, their pipe band, under Pipe Major McDougall Gillies, played selections of Highland music from time to time. Sir Henry Irving, who was lying in bed ill, was so affected by the sound of the pipes that he sent a message to the pipe major asking if one of them would come up to his room and play him a tune. Pipe Major Gillies went himself and played in the lobby outside his room first a cheery march Loch Katrine, then a strathspey, When you go to the hill; this followed by a reel, Dunrobin Castle. Sir Henry then sent out the nurse to bring the piper in, making him sit down by his bedside, when at once he began to admire the banner of Captain Whistler which he had on his pipes in compliment to the adjutant, and said to Gillies, “There is no such inspiring instrument in the world when in the open as the Highland bagpipes.” Continuing he said, “No wonder your countrymen (the Highlanders) are courageous with such music to lead them on.” Sir Henry said he remembered playing in the old theatre in Dunlop Street, Glasgow, in the piece on the relief of Lucknow called “Jessie Brown,” in which the pipes are heard gradually approaching, the piper commencing playing at the end of a long passage leading to the stage, which he gradually approached, and when he and the Highlanders at last burst upon the stage the effect was electrical on the audience, who greeted them with loud cheers.”’
The band won many prizes at contests in the years before the outbreak of the Great War.
In 1906 the Cowal Highland Gathering committee decided to hold their first ever pipe band competition, which was at first promoted as the Scottish Pipe Band Championship but from 1919 when the first non Scottish band entered it was advertised as the World Championship. This produced great interest because it was probably the first major pipe band competition ever held. Seventeen bands played in the contest. Inevitably the winner was the 1st H.L.I. pipe band, thus setting up yet another first for Gillies, with Govan Police in second place, and the 3rd H.L.I. and the Queens Volunteer Battalion Royal Scots tying for third place. Medals in the form of replicas of the Argyll Shield were presented to the winning bandsmen, but Gillies paid for a gold medal to be made especially for him. Following the Haldane Reforms in 1908 the band became the 5th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (Territorial Force), and Gillies led them to further World Championship wins in 1908, 1910, 1911 and 1912. At the start of the First World War he was transferred to the 9th Scottish Provisional Battalion and served on home stations until discharged as unfit for service in July 1915.
In Glasgow Gillies became piper to the Clan MacDougall Society and played at their dinners and annual gatherings. He was in demand for other events also and there are many reports in the papers. Sometimes he played his family tune, Glendaruel Highlanders.
At a Glasgow Gaelic Concert in February 1890 Pipers Gillies and Wilkie, H L 1, marched into the hall amid great enthusiasm, playing the Glendaruel Highlanders, afterwards playing Maggie Cameron and Sleeping Maggie for a strathspey and reel. Their playing was excellent.
In December 1897 the programme at a concert included Bagpipe Selections, Pipe-Major MacDougall Gillies, Glendaruel Highlanders, &c.
In December 1900 at the Glasgow Highland Club, during the course of the evening the club piper, Mr J Macdougall Gillies, played the club tune, The Glendaruel Highlanders, and a pibroch.
In March 1901, at the St Columba Church Gaelic Choir Annual Gaelic Concert the H L I pipers started the proceedings playing the members of the choir to the platform, with the strains of The Glendaruel Highlanders.
When Alexander Cameron left Glasgow to become piper to Cameron of Lochiel, Gillies succeeded him as adviser to the bagpipe firm of Peter Henderson Ltd. The original firm had been started by Donald MacPhee after his death in 1880 it was taken over by Peter Henderson. In 1902 Peter Henderson died, and his brother Donald continued the business, but Donald Henderson died on June 22, 1904, aged only 44, when ownership of the business passed to his widow and later to their daughters.
An advertisement was placed in the People’s Journal on November 19, 1904, saying, ‘Peter Henderson, Bagpipe Maker and Highland Costume Outfitter, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow. Established Over Thirty Years. Mrs Donald Henderson desires to Thank the Customers of her Late Husband for their past Support, and trusts to be favoured with a continuation of their Orders, which will be Promptly and Carefully Attended to. The Work is being carried out by the same Efficient Staff as formerly. Mr J MacDougall Gillies has been appointed Manager. Apply for Price Lists.’
In the 1911 census index the family were listed as John M Gillies 55, Margaret 47, Bella S 26. Allister 17 and Ian M 6. Later that year Isabella Smith Gillies was married to a man named Alexander Cameron.
By 1914 Gillies and his family had moved to 409 Great Western Road, just the other side of Kelvin Bridge from the former College of Piping. Among those he taught were Robert Reid, William Gray, James O Duff, George Yardley, James Taylor, Iain MacPherson, George MacDonald, Steve MacKinnon, James Center, James MacIvor and many others. Even pipers trained elsewhere, such as G S McLennan and Roderick MacDonald of the Glasgow Police came to Gillies. Not only did Gillies have very many pupils, he had some of the very best players as pupils. In 1908 all the prizewinners in the junior competition at Oban were taught by him. During the four years before and the four years immediately after the First World War his pupils won eight, that is half, of the Highland Society of London gold medals. Gillies also had pupils from the amateur ranks. Archibald Campbell of Kilberry, when home on leave from India, spent time with Gillies and left extensive notes on the tunes he went over with him. Some of these have been published in the two volumes of Sidelights on the Kilberry Book. Dr. Colin Caird also had tuition from Gillies. He described Gillies as a little meek old gentleman with a little pointed beard, very quiet. He came into the room where the pupil was waiting, said ‘Good afternoon’ and solemnly laid a chanter down in the middle of the table. And there the chanter stayed, he never played it, but it was a symbol of office, and after the lesson he picked it up and went out with it. Gillies did all his teaching by means of his own canntaireachd. The Gillies style was passed on in turn by his pupils to their pupils with Robert Reid and William Gray both being influential in this respect. Iain MacPherson too had many pupils, most famously his son Donald MacPherson who in turn taught many pupils and so the Gillies influence continues to the present day.
In 1910 the Scottish Pipers’ and Dancers Union had been founded in Glasgow. It organised a variety of recitals, competitions and other events and Gillies was involved with some of these. One of their events in 1911 was a lecture on piping given by Dr. Charles Bannatyne, accompanied by recitals from John MacDougall Gillies, William Gray, James MacIvor, John MacColl and others. The war put an end to events of this kind but afterwards many of those involved resumed their meetings on a Saturday afternoon in Henderson’s shop where Gillies did some of his teaching. Sometimes the popularity of the Saturday afternoon meetings could prove embarrassing, for the shop would be full of pipers who had dropped in for a gossip. David Ross told of how Gillies used to disperse the crowd tactfully as opening time for the bars came near, by blowing up his pipe and playing The Men Went to Drink. These informal meetings were to become The Scottish Pipers’ Association. The twelve founder members were recorded as John MacDougall Gillies, James MacIvor, Caithness; George Yardley, Cambuslang; William Gray, Glasgow Police; Iain Macpherson, Alastair Hutcheon, Charles MacEachern, Robert Reid, Slamannan; George MacDonald, Dunoon; Archie McPhedran, Knightswood; William MacLean, Kilcreggan and John C MacLean, Gourock. Many of these men had previously been involved with the Scottish Pipers’ and Dancers’ Association. The new Association was formally instituted on the January 10, 1920, and an extract from the minutes of that date shows that John MacDougall Gillies was the President, John MacKenzie was Vice President, Malcolm MacLean Currie, Islay was the Secretary and John MacLeod, Lewis was the Treasurer. The committee members were James MacIvor, James Wilson, Alasdair Hutcheon, William Gray, D Walker, H Lothian, James Bairnett, Iain MacPherson, Robert Mann and Charles MacEachern.
The objects of the Association, set out in the Constitution in 1920 are: ‘The study and practice of the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe, the banding together of the pipers of Scotland and the fostering of the spirit of comradeship amongst them.’
At first the weekly meetings of the Club were held in the back shop of Peter Henderson’s premises in Renfrew Street but before long there was not enough room there to accommodate the numbers attending so meetings had moved to premises in Garscube Road by 1921. Shortly afterwards the more spacious accommodation of the old German Church in Renfrew Street was taken over. Meetings and several competitions were also held in the Templars’ Hall in Ingram Street or in the Pearce Institute, Govan. There were competitions for Amateurs, Juveniles and Professionals. Gillies continued to preside and play at the weekly meetings and presided over the competitions. During 1920 the Association held a Professional Competition two Amateur Competitions and other events similar to those held before the war by the now obsolete Scottish Pipers’ and Dancers Union, which passed some of its piping trophies on to the new Association.
In 1921 the census index shows the family still living on Great Western Road. They are listed as John M Gillies 66, Margaret Gillies 56 and Ian M Gillies aged 16.
John MacDougall Gillies had been the Honorary Pipe Major and tutor at the Glasgow Highland Club since 1897 and on December 15, 1925, at their Club meeting had given an unforgettable rendering of the Lament for the Only Son. He died suddenly at his home two days later on the December 17, 1925, from a stroke. At the time of his death he was still working as the manager of Henderson’s shop. He died on a Tuesday and this was William Barrie’s regular evening for his lesson. He arrived as usual and when Mrs Gillies opened the door she told him there would be no lesson that evening as ‘your teacher died today’. He had a military funeral, with a pipe band from the H.L.I. in which many of his pupils played. The funeral procession was photographed crossing Kelvinbridge on Great Western Road.
The Edinburgh Evening News had a short piece on December 19, as did The Inverness Courier on December 22.
The Oban Times, December 26, had this in the Glasgow column. ‘It was with keen regret our Highland friends learned the other day that the “Prince of Pipers” Mr John MacDougall Gillies, had passed away. Mr Gillies was eminent in the art of piping and a rich array of honours came his way, his first distinction being gained as far back as 1875 at the famous Braemar Gathering. Of the school of MacCrimmon pipers, though himself a native of Glendaruel, he was steeped in all the native melodies and airs that thrilled the Highland heart. For many years he gave yeoman service to the cause of piping at our great Highland gatherings, and as a judge he was second to none. Two evenings prior to his death he had given selections at the annual dinner of the Glasgow Highland Club.
‘As a tutor he brought out all that was best in some of our ablest exponents of piping, and among his pupils we note such outstanding men as Pipe Major William Gray as typical of his students’ Successes. Pipe Major Gillies was regimental piper to the 5th Batt. H.L.I. Much sympathy is felt for his sorrowing widow and his two sons, all of whom are associated with St Columba Parish Church, Glasgow. His fine bearing, benignity, and the warmth of his friendship endeared him to a wide circle of friends in the city and elsewhere. As one of his friends puts it, MacCrimmon’s Lament, Cha till mi tuille, would form a most fitting farewell to the passing of this illustrious exponent in the art of piobaireachd. Deceased was for many years manager with Mr Peter Henderson, the noted bagpipe maker.’
On the same page was a fuller account headed ‘The Late Mr J MacDougall Gillies. A Famous Piper. The death took place on Thursday at his home, 409 Great Western Road, Glasgow, of Mr John MacDougall Gillies, formerly Pipe Major of the 5th Highland Light Infantry, and for many years one of the best known players on the Great Highland Bagpipe. Pipe Major MacDougall Gillies, who died after a very short illness, was manager for 22 years of the bagpipe making firm of Peter Henderson, Renfrew Street, Glasgow; and he was at business until Tuesday of last week. He was well known to past generations of Highlanders, and at Highland Gatherings of all kinds, as one of the finest and most cultured of players, and he was acknowledged specially as a master of the pibroch. He was trained in what was known then, and is still known among enthusiast exponents of the national musical instrument, as the MacCruimein School, after the great race of pipers who flourished and taught in Skye for hundreds of years.
‘Pipe Major MacDougall Gillies came to the front as a player about forty years ago, and during his long career as a first class piper he won practically every important trophy, including the Gold Medal of the Highland Society of London, awarded each year at the Northern Meeting at Inverness. He was at one time piper to the Marquis of Breadalbane at Taymouth Castle, and he was also piper to the Glasgow Highland Club for about 28 years. He trained a band which won the Cowal Shield on five occasions; and he taught many players who afterwards became pipe majors in British regiments. He was a native of Cowal, but had resided in Glasgow for many years. He was over 70 years of age.
‘Tribute from one of his Pupils. Pipe Major John MacDougall Gillies was a pupil of the Camerons, Sandy, Keith and Colin, whose father, the famous Donald Cameron, was taught by John Mac Kay, Raasay, who was taught by John Dhu MacCrimmon. Mr MacDougall Gillies who was a native of Cowal, proved himself the foremost piper of his day, and carried off all the principal honours. He was for a time piper to the Marquis of Breadalbane at Taymouth Castle, and followed in the footsteps of the famous John Ban MacKenzie. He latterly settled in Glasgow. He won his first competition at Braemar in 1875, taking first place with MacCrimmon’s Sweetheart, a tune which he finished with a different flourish from that known today. In the following year he won the prize pipe at Inverness with Piobaireachd Donald Dhu. Two nights prior to his death he performed at the Highland Club, Glasgow, and played in masterly style The Lament for the Only Son.
‘His stock of piobaireachd seemed inexhaustible, and what a treat it was to hear him render Thanaig mo Righ air tir am Muideart, The Earl of Seaforth’s Salute, War or Peace, A Flame of Wrath for Squinting Peter, Donald Ban MacCrimmon, and many other old masterpieces too numerous to mention. Even to the initiated he could express piobaireachd in a manner which created astonishment and admiration. While at Taymouth Castle, he and the late Sandy Cameron used to adjourn to the Tower and there play to their hearts’ content. Mr Gillies used to say he never heard anything finer than Sandy’s playing of The Ribean Gorm on a fine summer evening with a gentle breeze carrying it far up the glen. Variation after variation of this most symmetrical and beautiful tune, rolled around singlings, doublings and treblings, embedding the urlar in the crunluath a mach as even as a wheel on a mill-lade’
Mr MacDougall Gillies taught many pipers, and several of his pupils have carried off the highest honours. His pupils included Pipe Major Gray, Pipe Major Reid, Pipe Major Yardley, Pipe Major Jas Taylor, H.L.I. and Pipe Major J O Duff, who have all been winners of the medals of the Highland Society of London at Oban and Inverness. He held the position of President of the Scottish Pipers’ Association. He was a member of St Columba Parish Church. He belonged to the old school, and always maintained the dignity of his profession. Of a most kindly nature and unassuming in disposition, his death will be a great loss to the piping world. He leaves a widow and two sons to mourn his loss.’
The first SPA competition of 1926 was held in the Town Hall, Govan, on Saturday, April 10. The gathering, which proved highly successful, was presided over by the new President, James McIvor, Govan. There were events for both amateurs and juveniles and the Prize List included, Piobaireachd, confined to members of the Association, The MacDougall Gillies Trophy and four prizes, (14 competitors): 1. H McTavish, Glasgow, MacCrimmon’s Sweetheart; 2. Cameron Hutcheson, Dalmuir, I Got a Kiss of the King’s Hand; 3. Wm Barrie, Glasgow, Lament for the Only Son; 4. George Grant, Barrhead, MacLeod of Raasay; 5. John Keir, Cardross, Kinlochmoidart; 6. James Wilson, Grangemouth, Desperate Battle. The Oban Times in November 1930 had an article about the John MacDougall Gillies Trophy which had been presented to the SPA by the Glasgow Highland Club. It was described as a bronze statuette of the late PM John MacDougall Gillies, in characteristic pose, with pipes set as in playing. Mr Archibald Dawson was the sculptor. Gillies had been piper to the Highland Club for 27 years until his death.