The death has been reported of Major John Allan MBE. He passed away peacefully at Castlehill Care Home, Cradlehall, Inverness. He was 89.
Major Allan (Queen’s Own Highlanders) was Director of Army Bagpipe Music from 1981–1990. Only last week his former graduates at the school presented him with a tune as a thank you for all he did for them during their time at the Army School then based in Edinburgh Castle.
The tune, a piobaireachd, was named Salute to Major John M Allan MBE (1st Battalion The Queen’s Own Highlanders). It was composed by Niall Matheson, double Gold Medallist and a highly accomplished piper and composer. Niall completed his Pipe Major’s course under Major Allen.
Niall said: ‘John had been very poorly and we are just grateful that we had the opportunity to thank him.’
Present with Niall at the presentation were Finlay MacGhee, Donald John MacIntyre, Jimmy Craib, John Archie MacDonald, Jim Stout and Kelvin Hunter, along with John’s wife Jean and their sons John and Gary and grandsons Robert and Paul.
- Piping Press has been notified of the passing of Jim Dow a former front rank piper in the Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band during their historic five-in-a-row World Pipe Band Championship wins in the 1960s. Jim was in his 80s and had been living in Ballintore near Tain, Ross-shire. An excellent piper, Jim was highly thought of by the band’s pipe major Robert G. Hardie.
