Jim Moffat, 1917-2008

James Moffat, the popular and hard-working teacher and leader of pipers in the Glasgow area, died last week, aged 91.

 

An unsung hero of the Scottish pipe band community, Moffat started his piping career with the Newmains Pipe Band and played for many years with the New Lanark Pipe Band. For more than two decades he taught the Knightswood Pipe Band, lifting that band’s juvenile program to new heights in the Scottish pipe band scene.

 

With Knightswood, Moffat was pipe-major of the Novice Juvenile band, a group that produced many pipers who would go on to be influential players with some of the world’s leading Grade 1 bands, including Gordon McCready of Field Marshal Montgomery, and John and David Smith of the Strathclyde Police. Jim Moffat also taught Barry Ewen, who emigrated to Canada and went on to lead the Grade 1 Scotia Legion and Windsor Police pipe bands.

 

Jim Moffat will be remembered for his patient teaching style, his in-depth knowledge and lifelong passion for piping. The funeral service was held at Dalnottar Crematorium, Clydebank on August 26th at 10.30am.