Walter Cowan, who passed away peacefully in a nursing home in Annan last Friday, took his piping seriously – but not himself. It was an endearing quality which made him popular with everyone. When espousing knowledge and instruction in classroom, band hall or judging bench, there was always his pawky humour to lighten the load.
His contribution to piping and pipe bands in the south west of Scotland and further afield was considerable.
Born in Annan, Dumfries-shire on 7th August 1936, he became one of the most influential pipers, Pipe Majors and senior light music judges of his generation, as well as a foundational figure in the piping traditions of south west Scotland.
Piping was deeply rooted in the Cowan family. Walter first learned the pipes from his father, Jack Cowan, himself a piper who saw action during the Second World War with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers under Pipe Major John Slattery.
Jack Cowan was also a respected composer, writing the British Legion March and the 6/8 march Provost McNeish, Annan, later published in the Edcath Collection. His uncle, Walter J. Cowan, served as a Pipe Major in the Scots Guards.
In 1948, Walter began lessons in Edinburgh with Willie Bryson, a pupil of Bobby Reid, at Sinclair’s shop — tuition that would have a profound influence on both his playing and the wider Cowan family tradition.
Walter received his treasured silver and ivory Henderson pipes from his uncle, Pipe Major George Grant. The instrument had originally been presented by the City of Glasgow to the Cameronians and later came into Grant’s possession during his service as Pipe Major in the Scots Guards and Pipe Sergeant to Donald Shaw Ramsay in the Edinburgh Police Pipe Band. After George emigrated to Canada and later passed away, the pipes eventually returned from Ontario to Annan.
The pinnacle of Walter’s solo piping career came in 1982 when he won the prestigious Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society Bronze Star for Marches at the Argyllshire Gathering playing the Duchess of Edinburgh. That same day he completed a notable double by taking the AG Silver Medal for Strathspey and Reel with Caledonian Society of London and Major Manson.
In those days these competitions were not graded and often had more than 60 playing for a place in the twice-through short leet. Walter’s wins qualified him for the Former Winners’ MSR. Following his retirement from solo competition, he became a familiar figure on the judging benches at Oban, Inverness and London.
Walter played under Pipe Major Ronnie MacCallum in the 8th Argylls band, forging lifelong connections with Argyllshire pipers and proudly wearing his 8th Argylls tie when judging in later years.
As Pipe Major, alongside his brother Pipe Sergeant John Cowan and leading drummer Norrie Thompson, Walter led the Annan Ex-Servicemen’s Club (Annan British Legion) band to victory in Grade 2 at the Worlds at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, in 1986. The band also won the Scottish Championship and Champion of Champions titles in Grade 2 that year.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the town of Annan — population around 9,000 — boasted both a Grade 1 band and the highly successful Grade 2 Maclean of Annan band. The achievements of the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and Royal Burgh of Annan bands followed on from the success of the Ex-Servicemen’s Club and Maclean of Annan, with many of the same players continuing to raise standards throughout the region.
In later years, Walter was involved in editing and compiling the acclaimed ‘Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipe Music Collection’. He valued greatly the camaraderie, music and friendship shared with fellow editors Jim Henderson, Ian McLellan and Jimmy Banks.
Walter also served as a trustee of the South West of Scotland Piping and Drumming Trust, helping to ensure the continuation of the region’s strong piping traditions for future generations.
The enjoyment and fellowship of piping always remained central to Walter’s life. He was generous with his time, encouragement and advice to younger players travelling to compete, and many fondly remembered his warmth and hospitality at gatherings such as the Cowal Games where he once put up a young Bruce Gandy in his caravan.
He leaves a lasting legacy through both his family and the many musicians he inspired, including his nephews Ross Cowan, Silver Medallist and piping tutor with North Lanarkshire Schools, Euan Cowan, Lance Sergeant Piper with the Scots Guards and piping tutor on the Isle of Lewis, as well as Jack Cowan, Craig Cowan, Ruairidh Cowan and his grandson Callum Henderson.
Deepest condolences are extended to his daughters Seonaid and Catriona, and to the wider Cowan family circle.
