Description
Donald MacLeod, MBE, was born in Stornoway, on Lewis, in the Scottish Hebridean Islands in 1916. He became a piper for the Seaforth Highlanders in 1937, reaching the level of pipe major after only four years. He served in France in World War II, and was taken prisoner by the Germans at St. Valery, escaped during a forced march and managed to return to the UK. In 1945, he piped his battalion across the Rhine during an assault crossing — even though he had been forbidden to do this by his commanding officer. During his army career, he was highly successful in piping competitions, winning numerous medals. MacLeod retired from the army in 1963 and from competition in 1966, but neither marked the completion of his piping career. He continued to give recitals in Scotland and around the world, and he provided instruction to many pipers at all levels of ability. He was awarded the Membership of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1978 for outstanding service to piping. Tunes included 93rd Highlanders Farewell to Edinburgh, The Alex F. Ibell Andrew Paul Angus Ross of Kirtomy Barn Dance, The Battle of Waterloo, The Bellag the Drover Biddy from Sligo Blackthorn Stick, The Borve Castle Bride’s Jig, The Captain Colin Campbell Captain R.G. Duke, R.N. Castlebay Celtic Society, The Charles Anderson Clydeside Cronan Phadruig Seumas Cuaich Side Dalnahassaig Danny Campbell’s Walk Round Doctor Allan MacDonald Doctor MacInnes’s Fancy Donald MacLellan’s Tuning Phrase Dornoch Highland Gathering Eilean Donan Castle George Symon Glendale Gruagach, The Hammer on the Anvil, The Here we part Highland Mary Invergordon Jig and More
