Bill Livingstone, one of the great Canadian pipers and pipe majors, passed away yesterday afternoon. He was 83. Bill Livingstone was more than a piper—he was a singular presence in the world of Highland piping. His artistry, leadership, and unwavering dedication reshaped solo piping and pipe bands.
Born on March 20, 1942, in Copper Cliff, Ontario, Canada, Bill’s journey with the pipes began at the age of four under the guidance of his father, William Livingstone Sr., a Scottish immigrant from East Ayrshire. From these earliest lessons, he cultivated a passion that would propel him to the highest levels of competition. His piping teachers included John Wilson, Donald MacLeod, Captain John MacLellan, and John MacFadyen—masters of the instrument who sharpened his talent into something extraordinary.
As a soloist, Bill stood among the greatest to ever take the stage. He won the Highland Society of London Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting (1977), the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering (1979), and two Gold Clasps at the Northern Meeting (1981, 1984). His command of piobaireachd—the ceòl mòr, the great music—was unparalleled.
He was a revolutionary in the world of pipe bands. As the founding Pipe Major of the 78th Fraser Highlanders, he led them to victory at the 1987 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow. They were the first non-Scottish band to claim the title. Under his guidance, the band won the North American Championship a dozen times, and their music—bold, sophisticated, and unafraid of innovation—pushed the boundaries of what a pipe band could be.
Among their eight albums, none stands taller than “Live in Ireland” (1987), a recording that remains the best-selling pipe band album of all time. Its impact was so profound that decades later, tribute concerts in Glasgow (2016) and Belfast (2017) paid homage to its influence.
Bill was not just a competitor—he was a composer, an author, and a teacher. He published two books of original compositions and left behind “A Piobaireachd Diary,” a five-volume series of meticulously recorded ceòl mòr that serves as both an archive and a testament to his devotion to the music. His 2017 autobiography, “Preposterous, Tales to Follow,” captured his wit, wisdom, and the remarkable experiences of a life lived in pursuit of musical excellence.
A mentor to many, he helped shape some fine pipers of the modern era: Michael Grey, Andrew Hayes, Ian K. MacDonald, Sean McKeown, and Bruce Gandy to name a few. His teaching was not just about technique; it was about grasping its soul.
Beyond the music, Bill excelled in another field—law. He earned a degree in psychology from Laurentian University before attending law school at the University of Toronto. For four decades, he practised as a litigator, his keen intellect and unwavering resolve serving him well in the courtroom. Through it all, his wife, Lily, was his pillar of strength, her unwavering support a cornerstone of his success.
His contributions were recognized far and wide. In 2022, the Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) awarded him a Life Membership, honouring his lifelong dedication to the advancement of piping. His legacy even extended beyond the world of music when Diana Gabaldon featured him as a character in her “Outlander” novels.
With Bill Livingstone’s passing, the piping world has lost one of its brightest lights. But his music, his leadership, and his passion endure.
He is gone, but his influence remains, not just in the tunes he played but in the lives he touched. Rest in peace, Bill. You changed the world of piping, and you will never be forgotten.
Gu bràth ann an ar cridheachan.
Andrew B Giles
- If anyone would like to leave a message of condolence please do so in our Comments section.
