Gordon Duncan

Gordon Duncan (14 May 1964 – 14 December 2005) was a Scottish bagpiper, low whistle player and composer.

Early life Duncan was born in Turriff, Aberdeenshire on 14 May 1964. His parents were tenant farmer and bothy ballad singer Jock Duncan and Frances Duncan. Initially taught by his father, Gordon began his piping career at the age of 10, winning many junior competitions under the tuition of Walter Drysdale, He began composing soon afterwards, having travelled across Europe and been exposed to other traditions, especially Breton music. He was a member of the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and also performed with the Atholl Highlanders, as well as being signed by Greentrax as a solo artist.

Duncan created a new style of idiosyncratic bagpipe music.

He worked as a refuse collector and was known to scribble compositions on cigarette packets whilst at work.

He arranged music for the Vale of Atholl and ScottishPower pipe bands.

Death On 14 December 2005, Duncan was found dead at his home in Perthshire following a long struggle with alcoholism. was set up early in 2006 to support good causes in piping.

In 2007, A National Treasure concert was staged in Perth by the Trust, and for the following four years, with the BBC airing the 2011 concert. In January 2016, a gig was at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as part of Celtic Connections.

Personal life He had a wife, Mary, and a son, Gordon, two sisters, and his brother, Ian Duncan, is also a piper. Just for Seumas (1994) Circular Breath (1997) Thunderstruck (2003) Just for Gordon (2007)