Began piping career with private tuition from Mr. Fraser Mitchell, a piper with Torphichen & Bathgate, in 1968. Many happy days and nights were spent in Fraser’s house and also hanging onto his shirt tails on his motorbike as he took me from Westfield to Armadale and Bathgate to attend practices. I owe a great debt to Fraser for everything he taught me.
I then joined the newly formed Polkemmet Juveniles under the renowned tutor and Pipe Major Jonny Barnes. This band went on to win the “Worlds “ in its first year in 1970. Unfortunately the band was disbanded the following year.
I was then advised to join Uddingston Juveniles under Pipe Major Wilson Shaw, who was a piper with the Polkemmet Grade 1 band. After many successful years, thanks to Wilson, in the Novice and Juvenile grades including a TV appearance on Opportunity Knocks I rejoined Polkemmet Grade 1 band under the leadership of Pipe Major Simon Reid. I also received some excellent tuition from Robbie Strathearn, an excellent piper and teacher.
After 2 years with Polkemmet I then joined the Scots Guards and received quality lessons from two of the world’s finest pipers, Pipe Major Angus MacDonald and Captain (then Lance Sergeant) Gavin Stoddart at the Guards piping school in Pirbright. Whilst attending the piping school after completing 22 weeks military training I was then attached to the Royal Navy to serve on HMS Fearless in the Caribbean and the USA. On returning joined the 2nd Btn Scots Guards in Germany under Pipe Major Dixie Ingram and Pipe Sergeant Jimmy Banks. After serving in several countries including Germany, France, Belgium and Australia left the Scots Guards and rejoined Polkemmet, again playing under P/M Jonny Barnes, who had attracted many players away from Shotts and Dykehead including Robert and Iain Roddick, Robert Matheson and Jim Kilpatrick. Continued to play with Polkemmet under Robert Matheson and Pipe Major Ronnie Lawrie (a true gent).
In 1989 left to join Torphichen under Mark Bennet and with leading drummer and great friend Billy Stirling, winning the Grade 2 Worlds in the first year with the band. After Mark left the band I was asked to replace him as pipe major and went on to form a fantastic partnership with Billy and my pipe sergeant Alex Tait. Thanks to a lot of hard work by all in the band we went on to win the champion of champions title for Grade 2 in 1994 and then managed to break into the top 10 in Grade 1.
Due to a lack of commitment from some players left to rejoin Polkemmet. After a few unsuccessful years as Pipe Sergeant to Stevie Young returned in 2004 to resurrect Torphichen with Stuart Robertson as Pipe Seargent and Callum Firth as Leading Drummer.
Now at the beginning of 2007 I look forward to continuing a great partnership with Callum and new Pipe Sergeant Alex Tait. With the help and talent of all the members of the band I am sure we can build on our previous success.
To view Gordon’s player profile click here.
