By Jeannie Campbell MBE
While not wishing to detract from the achievements of the new Glasgow Schools Pipe Band, and their Piping Tutor Eddie Seaman, in the interests of accuracy I would like to point out this isn’t the first band from the Glasgow state schools, although it is 20 years since the last appearance of the band in top level competitions.
The Glasgow Schools Pipe Band was founded in 1971 by Bob MacDonald. His obituary in the Glasgow Herald in June 1999 gave details of his career.
Robert Gillies MacDonald (Bob) was born in Springburn, Glasgow in 1915. He started work as a clerk then at the age of 17 he started an apprenticeship as a joiner. After military service in the Second World War, Bob decided to become a technical teacher. He attended Jordanhill College for teacher training and went on to gain his teaching diploma. During his career as a schoolteacher in technical subjects he taught in various secondary schools in Glasgow, in particular Glenwood Secondary, where he taught for 16 years, and latterly in Allan Glen’s, where he taught from August 1974 until he retired in August 1981. He had a great love of the bagpipes and as a boy played in the Boys Brigade Pipe Band and then went on to play with the Clan Fraser Pipe Band. At Glenwood Secondary School he formed a pipe band where he was the Pipe Major for 13 years. He was also Pipe Major of the 224th Glasgow Company of the Boys Brigade. In 1971 he formed the Glasgow Schools Pipe Band which was based at Allan Glen’s. The function of the band was to play at educational events, galas, fetes, and other important functions. The band membership was open to boys and girls from all secondary schools in Glasgow. Bob was Pipe Major of the Glasgow Schools Pipe Band for 15 years. Bob composed many tunes, including a 3/4 March which he named Glasgow Schools Pipe Band. Following his retirement he was the founder and first Chairman of the Veteran Pipers’ Club in 1984. He was awarded the MBE for services to education and piping. He died in 1999 aged 83.
PM Iain MacPherson MM was a part time piping tutor in the Glasgow Schools during the 1970s and 1980s. He taught at several secondary schools and some primary schools in Glasgow. He retired in 1985 and was followed by Logan Tannock until 1987 and then Fred Morrison junior.
The Glasgow Schools band competed at Cowal and at the World Championships in 1988 in Grade 4. This allowed the band to play with some adult players, while the novice and juvenile grades only permitted one adult to play as pipe major. They were led by PM J Paton, their tartan was Caledonian and they played 25th KOSB’s and Muir of Ord. They competed again in 1989 and 1990, playing Duncan MacInnes and Jack’s Welcome Home.
In 1993 Peter MacInnes was appointed as the Glasgow schools instructor. Peter, born 1962 started piping aged 10. After winning many prizes as a juvenile he joined the Scots Guards in 1978. He served in West Germany, Cyprus, Kenya and in the Falklands War where he was mentioned in dispatches for distinguished service. In 1983 he passed the Pipe Major’s course with double As. Between 1986-89 he was posted to the Regimental Information Team and was able to compete at the highest level, gaining prizes at Oban and Inverness and around the Games. In 1989 he was appointed Pipe Major of the 1st Batt, Scots Guards. He left the army in 1991. He played with Scottish Power for a time then in 1993, 1994 and 1995 he was PM of the Grade 1 Black Bottle band.
When he became the schools instructor the school band was not at first ready to take part in competitions. In May 1996 for the Press Launch and opening of the new Piping Centre, young pipers were required to play in various parts of the building. A group from the Callander band and five of Peter’s pupils from the Glasgow Schools Pipe Band came to play. The Glasgow Schools band returned to competition and appeared at Cowal in 1999 in the Novice Juvenile grade. They were led by PM Peter MacInnes, wore the Hunting Sinclair tartan and played The Jacobites, Music of Spey, Galloway Hills, Rose of Allandale, The Bluebells. At the Worlds in 2000 they played I See Mull, The Jacobites, Galloway Hills, Rose of Allandale. In 2001 their tunes were Prince Edward Island, Rose of Allandale, Loch Ruan, Shoals of Herring and their tartan was now the Millenium tartan. In 2002 they played The Banks of Allan Water, Music of Spey, The Children, 1976 Police Tattoo; In 2003 they played Rose of Allandale, Ye Jacobites by Name, Loch Ruan, My Highland Hame. They were not listed at the Worlds in 2004 or 2005 but appeared again in 2006 with the tunes, The Two Ronnies Maggies, Ye Jacobites by Name, Hills of Alva, Land of My Youth. March 1. Teribus. March 2. Corriechoillie’s 43rd Welcome to the Northern Meeting. Peter retired in 2023.
