Alasdair Gillies

Alasdair Gillies (6 December 1963 – 27 August 2011) was a Scottish bagpiper and tutor, and one of the most successful competitive solo players of all time.

Life Alasdair was born in Glasgow to parents Norman and Kathleen Gillies and lived there for the first eleven years of his life before moving to Ullapool, a fishing village on the West of Scotland where his father took on the position of piping instructor for the schools in Wester Ross. He received his first lessons from his father, who was also a noted player, and continued to receive tuition from him throughout his career. Studying under Pipe Major John Allan at Edinburgh Castle, he gained a distinguished pass on the Pipe Major's course in 1986 where he achieved the Graduate certificate and the Senior Teachers certificate from the Institute of Piping. He also received tuition from Pipe Major Iain Morrison of the Queen's Own Highlanders and Captain Andrew Pitkeathly, formerly director of the Army School of Bagpipe Music. With his wife Pauline he had one son, Norman, who is also a competitive piper.

Solo prizes Gillies had a successful career from an early age, placing highly in junior events in major competitions, and throughout his career he won almost every major trophy.

He has won both of the Highland Society of London Gold medals, at the Argyllshire Gathering in 1989 and at the Northern Meeting, for pibroch playing.

He has won the Former Winners March, Strathspey and Reel at the Northern Meeting a record 11 times, and won the overall competition at the Glenfiddich Championship 3 times, with 6 wins in the March, Strathspey and Reel event.