Major-General David Stewart of Garth
Just before heading up the stairs to Gallery 4 visitors will see the painting of someone who, on first glance, might not look like a
November 27, 2019
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Guest Writer
A Piping Journey from the Farms of New Zealand to the Battlegrounds of The Black Watch
- Category - Black Watch History, Soldier Stories
Written by Pipe Major Alistair Duthie, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Association
I was born in the picturesque town of Timaru, South Canterbury, New Zealand, in December 1968. My family roots can be traced back to the rugged landscapes of North Sutherland and Kirriemuir, where both sides of my family hail from, proudly bearing Scots ancestry. In my experiences growing up on a farm in the Sutherlands district near Pleasant Point, South Canterbury, my connection with the rich Scottish traditions began to take shape.
My earliest memories of piping dates to the age of 3, when I would playfully run around with my Grandad’s practice chanter, creating a few casualties along the way. However, it wasn’t until the age of 4, after my Granny Munro’s passing, that my interest in piping truly ignited. Grandad moved in with us for a year and as he practiced in the garden I would follow closely, pretending to play along.
At 7 my formal piping education began under the guidance of my grandfather. Subsequently, I found myself learning from Ronald Munro QSM in Timaru, a skilled piper with a legacy of teaching successful players including the Timaru Ladies Pipe Band.
Competing in my first competition at the MacKenzie show in Fairlie, playing “Heroes of Flodden” marked a significant milestone in my career as a piper. The thrill of playing in the local band, Pleasant Point and District, during the Christmas procession added to the excitement.
At 14 I ventured to St Andrews College in Christchurch for my education where I became involved with the Pipe Band under the leadership of Gordon Ogilvie. Under his guidance, I gained a strong foundation in both solo competition and a love for the art of piping.
Upon leaving school, I realised my ambition to join The Black Watch. After a tour with the Canterbury Caledonian Society Pipe Band in North America I began my journey to Scotland.
I arrived in Perth, met Colonel Arbuthnott, and was sent to see the late Major Colin Innes at the recruiting office in Edinburgh without knowing that my family and his cousins at Black Forest Sheep Station in the MacKenzie Country all knew each other! I also met the Vale of Atholl pipe band at Maxville and was very lucky that Gus Clarke, later the band’s Pipe Major and Best Man at my wedding, took me in and looked after me both before and after my training period began. I played with the Vale on and off when I was on leave or posted in Scotland and still have a great affinity for the band. I was lucky to have met and had some great conversations with Gordon Duncan, piper and composer from Aberdeenshire. I was also very lucky to meet up with Eddie Clark from Strathtay, Perthshire (former Pipe Corporal 2nd Battalion) who was a judge and a fantastic teacher. For several years up till his death I had some wonderful tuition from him.
I was eventually asked if I would take a commission but turned it down as my ambition was, of course, to become Pipe Major of the most famous regiment the British Army!
I was posted to the 1st Battalion in West Berlin in 1989 and joined the Pipes and Drums under Pipe Major Joe Rafferty BEM and Drum Major Pete Robson. This is where I met my good friend of 34 years, Corporal Alistair MacIntosh, later Pipe Major Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was my mentor and taught me all the little nuances that were peculiar to the regiment.
I remember my first parade and the ‘Pipey’ shouted out the march on tunes “the Crusaders set”. Well, I didn’t know these tunes (The Crusaders March, Caller Herrin, etc.) so in a panic I asked ‘Tosh’. He replied “Dinnae wirry you’ll hiv them off by the time we counter march”, and sure enough I did!
Throughout the next twenty years the Pipes and Drums of The Black Watch soldiered in West Berlin, Northern Ireland, Hong Kong. We toured North America, played for the Royal family, and became an integral part of various and prestigious occasions. The duty of the pipes and drums Is to support the Battalion in every facet of daily life with duty Pipers and Drummers providing the calls from Reveille to Lights Out.
I became Pipe Major of the 1st Battalion in November 2000. The Battalion had previously moved to Fallingbostel in Germany as part of the 7th Armoured Brigade (Desert rats).
In 2001 Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother passed away and, as she was colonel in chief of The Black Watch, the band was honoured to be asked to play at her funeral. We were then in Kosovo and then out to Iraq in 2003 so with conversion training and exercises there was very little chance for much piping at all, but we kept it going!
Playing for the 3rd Battalion 3rd US Marine Corps, North Kuwait 2003
Eventually I was posted to the Army Technical Foundation College Arborfield and then to the regimental recruiting team in Perth. At this time I was asked to take over as Pipe Major of 51st Highland Regiment TA to rebuild the band and I continued in this role until my discharge in November 2008. My last 18 months were as the Officers Mess manager at the Royal Highland Fusiliers just after the amalgamations to create the Royal Regiment of Scotland as I was extra to the divisional establishment!
Soon after, I was diagnosed with PTSD Combat Stress and was helped by the charity Combat Stress over the next number of years. It was at this point my old mentor, Corporal MacIntosh, ‘Tosh’ found me and convinced me to join the Perth and District Pipe Band to help teach the youngsters. Little was I to know I would be the Pipe Major within the year!
That was 15 years ago!
I am very privileged to be Piper to the Provost and City of Perth, Piper to the Earl of Strathmore, and to have been invited to join the Atholl Highlanders (the Duke of Atholl’s Regiment). I am also Pipe Major to The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Association of which I am extremely proud to be a part. I can honestly say I have experienced the full versatility of the bagpipes and traditions associated with them. I have played in competitions, parades, ceilidhs, in combat, at funerals, and more. I am also honoured to continue to teach and pass on the traditions that were taught to me by people who took the time and effort to teach me.
I continue in my relationship with The Black Watch regiment through fellowship and camaraderie whether it is overseeing the Gardening team at Balhousie Castle, playing at regimental functions, assisting museum staff, attending Association meetups, or helping in the archive. I am also currently researching in the archives at The Black Watch Castle and Museum and writing a book on the Pipers of The Black Watch regiment.
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4 thoughts on “A Piping Journey from the Farms of New Zealand to the Battlegrounds of The Black Watch”
I look forward to learning more about The Black Watch pipers when Alistair Duthie publishes his research! The bagpipes are certainly the most interesting element of widespread Scottish culture and it is fascinating to read about their effect on people today.
A Great piping story from a nice man that I’m proud to call my friend.
A great pipe major and friend to everyone indeed.
Well deserved plaudits Alistair, always a gentleman great to see how far you’ve come.