Reader Neil Angus Gillies: ‘The passing of Major Jock Allan is sad news indeed. What’s missing from reports is mention of the years Major Allan spent teaching at George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh. ‘This was after he left the Army School of Piping, the school being located a stone’s throw from Edinburgh Castle. He was Chief Piping Instructor at Heriot’s throughout the 1990s and 2000s and every pupil that received tutelage…

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…

Earlier this month, seven former pipers from the Queen’s Own Highlanders visited Major John Allan MBE at Castlehill Care Home, Cradlehall, Inverness. The purpose of the visit was to present John, now 89, with a new piobaireachd as a thank you for all that he did for those Army pipers who had the good fortune to attend the various courses run at the Army School of Bagpipe Music (ASBM), Edinburgh…