David McDowall

Major General David McDowall (16 August 1954 – 24 April 2025) was a British Army officer who commanded the 2nd Division from 2007 to 2009.

Military career McDowall joined the British Army as a private in the Royal Corps of Signals at the age of 18. He was commissioned into the corps in 1981, and later commanded a squadron in operations in Northern Ireland and a regiment in operations during the Bosnian War. before being appointed General Officer Commanding 2nd Division and Governor of Edinburgh Castle in 2007 and retiring in 2009.

McDowall served as a member of the British Government's Panel on Fair Access to the Professions, and military adviser to the First Minister of Scotland.

McDowall piped in the Royal Signals Pipes and Drums, having learnt to play before joining. In 2009, the year of his retirement, he was the lone piper at the Edinburgh Tattoo. In 2024, he became President of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.

Personal life and death McDowall was married to Valerie; they had two sons and a daughter.