Piping Press has just learned of the death at the age of 80 of Lawrie Gillespie, former member of Pipe Major Iain McLeod’s World Championships winning Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band in 1971 and 1972. Lawrie Gillespie was also a prominent competitor in the solo piping circuit.
Following service in the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, Lawrie Gillespie joined Edinburgh City Police in 1962 where he served until he retired at the age of 60 in the rank of Superintendent, by which time the Force was known as Lothian & Borders Police.
Later in his police career he also served as Secretary of the Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band and as a member of the RSPBA National Council, representing the Lothian & Borders Branch of the Association.
Lawrie’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 16 April at 10.00am at the Co-operative Funeral Parlour, Cos Lane, Glenrothes KY7 4AH and thereafter at Markinch Cemetery at 11.00am.
