Alasdair Gillies laid to rest

More than 200 family and friends of the late Alasdair Gillies paid their last respects as the great piper, who died suddenly on August 27th, was laid to rest in Ullapool, Scotland.

Reverend Ivan Warwick presided over the September 3rd ceremony at the Church of Scotland in the small town in the north of Scotland. The funeral was open to all to attend. Rona Lightfoot delivered the eulogy. Fellow Queen’s Own Highlander Pipe-Major Bruce Hitchings played the lament outside of the church, and the pallbearers were six of the world’s greatest pipers: Brian Donaldson, Angus MacColl, Colin MacLellan, Roddy MacLeod, Willie McCallum and Gordon Walker, each both a friend and contemporary of Gillies.

Kristine Kennedy sang “Loch Broom” in Gaelic, and several pipers played along the road to the cemetery, including Iain Ruairaigh Finlayson, Callum MacKenzie, and Donald MacKay. Pipe-Major Michael Gray and Niall Matheson played at the graveside, with Matheson finishing with Donald MacLeod’s piobaireachd “Cabar Feidh Gu Brath.” A large group of army pipe-majors, including Iain Morrison and Andrew Venters, teachers of Alasdair Gillies, lowered the casket.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Alasdair Gillies’ name to Help For Heroes, a charity that assists war veterans.

Those who wish to send notes of sympathy may use the following addresses (listed alphabetically):

Kristen Ayers (partner)

503 Moon Clinton Road

Moon Township, PA

15108 USA

Kathleen Gillies (mother)

28 Market Street

Ullapool, Ross-shire

Scotland IV26 2XL

Pauline and Norman Gillies (wife and son)

5E Market Street

Ullapool, Ross-shire

Scotland IV26 2XL