I recorded some of my tunes back in 2018 (I couldn’t see anyone else doing it) and I have now got them on streaming platforms. If anyone fancies a listen just go to Apple Music or Amazon Music and type in ‘Tunes from Dornie’.
They were done at my home in Dornie and simply processed through my computer so there are no fancy studio tricks involved. I should have done it 20 years ago when my pipes and fingers were better – but it is what it is, warts and all. The tunes are mostly my own compositions with some other seldom heard tunes.
There are copious notes accompanying the tunes many concerning local characters and friends of mine. For instance I have a tune for Duncan MacGillivray who has been a stalwart of traditional music in the Highlands for 50 years. He works on his family farm at Calrossie, Nigg.
He has won the Inverness Gold Medal as well as countless prizes at all levels of competition. He can indeed be called ‘Duncan MacGillivary, Champion Piper’ the name of his tune. But is was at his father Donald’s funeral at which Duncan himself played that I decided on the name. While listening to him play that day I thought ‘yes Duncan, you are a Champion Piper’.
Here is a link the recordings.
Iain MacPherson
Reader Kent Pharaoh, Henryetta, OK, USA: I enjoyed reading about Iain MacPherson of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Iain was my first instructor when I began learning the pipes. I was still on the practice chanter and I would drive to his home in Tulsa. He resided on Pittsburg Street at the time and he was married to a lovely lady, Janice.
When Iain became ill, his brother Donald and his wife Gwen, flew to Oklahoma to visit. While here, I arranged for Donald to play before the then State Governor David Walters. Donald performed in the state’s Capitol Rotunda to the pleasure of Governor Walters and wife, Rhonda, and a good number of folks including Iain and Janice.
Following the performance, I treated Donald and Iain and their spouses and my parents and friends to a late lunch at ‘The Sleepy Hollow’ restaurant in Oklahoma City.
When Iain was admitted to hospital in Tulsa, he phoned to bid me farewell as he knew that his health was deteriorating rapidly. My wife and I immediately drove to the hospital to visit him. I attended Iain’s memorial service at a Presbyterian Church shortly thereafter.
Even though I only knew Iain for a short time, he truly had a major impact on my life. He continues to be sorely missed.
Donald MacPherson and I continued to keep in touch for several years. During our friendship, he played his pipes for my 30th high school class reunion. He also performed for a Sunday morning worship service at our home church – the Church of the Nazarene in Henryetta.
One day I received a phone call from Donald’s wife, Gwen, informing me that Donald had passed away. She said that I and his long time friend, Jimmie Lindsey, were the only calls she planned to make to the US. Jimmie lived in Wichita, Kansas.
- Read more about Iain here.
‘Highland Bagpipe Music’ by Donald Morrison – digital download
This book was first produced shortly before Donald died in 1988. Languishing out of print, it surfaced in 2021 following contact between Piping Press editor Robert Wallace and Donald’s daughter Sheona. Sheona agreed that it should be offered to the piping public once more at nominal cost, the aim being to preserve her father’s musical legacy. Donald Morrison was the complete piper a fine teache…