Practical Pipers Society | home
Macleod Pipe Band
Baxter Park, Dundee in 1954
(From Left)
Standing
1. Angus MacLeod jr. 2. Sandy Robertson jr. 3. Stewart Salmond 4. John Dickson 5. Alex Veitch 6. Colin Stewart (Bass Drum who emigrated to Canada) 7. George Roger 8. Ewen Reevie 9. Donald MacLeod 10. Sandy Robertson snr.
Seated
1. David Swan 2. Sandy Wilson 3. Angus MacLeod snr. 4. Eric Leslie (Owner of the Rosebank Garage, Dundee)? 5. ? Ross (new Drummer)
11/11/06 My thanks go to Iain MacLeod, Pipe Major of Jersey Caledonian Pipe Band. Iain is the son of Angus MacLeod junior and was able to fill in some of the names in the picture and also correct some errors. It is also nice to know that Iain's son, Alisdair, is now a fine piper carrying on the tradition of "The MacLeod".
We are still looking for the remaining backgrounds of these Pipers.
Can you tell us more?
The Story of the Band
In 1941, Angus Macleod junior was teaching a number of boys and men in the City, helped by his father and brother, Angus senior and Donald. That year (1941) Angus junior was asked to form a band in the Dundee Air Training Corps. This ATC band continued until the end of the War.
After the War, Angus junior and Donald Macleod decided to form a senior band, and from this the Macleod Pipe Band was born with Angus as Pipe Major. Thus began one of the most influential Pipe bands ever to exist in Dundee.
From the ranks of this band came solo and band players who would grace the field of competition, and it was with some "matter of factness" that observers would point out that "Och, of course he's good, he was in The Macleod"
This band, wearing the Ancient Hunting MacLeod, was at it's peak when the armed forces discovered their talent, which was outwith their grasp. In time, with National Service, all the young players were snatched away, and the band struggled to carry on.
In 1958, Angus Macleod junior moved north on business and Donald felt he was too old to take over as Pipe Major. Angus senior died in December 1958 and so the band was finally put to rest .
Here was a band whose members left their mark on piping, dating back to 1900.
Angus Macleod senior travelled to Glasgow around 1906 where he took lodgings simply to receive tuition from John MacDougall Gillies.
When he returned to Dundee, he set about passing on his knowledge to others to an amazing effect.
Eventually, his sons took over that duty by teaching, and setting standards that many would have like to have emulated both then and now.
From their living-rooms, kitchens and band hall they tutored and produced:
Angus MacLeod senior.
Angus MacLeod junior. Son of Angus senior. Founder of the MacLeod Pipe Band.
Donald Macleod. Son of Angus senior. Later in life he was Piping Tutor to Dundee High School
Norman MacLeod, No relation, who later became Dundee Police Pipe Major and also taught Stuart Samson,
Senior Pipe Major and instructor to the British Armed Forces.
Jonathon McLeod
William Roger Salmond See his own page
Stewart Salmon junior To become Pipe Major of The National Cash Register Pipe Band, Dundee.
George Roger To become Pipe Major of The National Cash Register Pipe Band, Dundee.
Claude Miller One of the only holders of the S.P.B.A. Advanced Certificates in Bagpipes and Drumming.
Sandy Robertson senior
Sandy Robertson junior
John Dickson senior
John Dickson junior Later became a member of Dundee City Police Pipe Band whilst a Station Officer with the Fire Brigade.
A. McDonald Black
Kenny McGregor
Tom Donaldson
James MacKenzie Founder of the MacKenzie Pipe Band, Dundee in 1919.
James Sword Founder and Pipe Major of The City of Dundee Prize Pipe Band and also the Jute Industries Pipe Band.
Grant Wilson
Donald Dewar
Sandy Nichol
Willie Sharp (Now Australia), and his brother George
Bert Barron BEM Later St. Andrews University etc.
Bob Leach Later Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia
Jimmy Gilchrist From Maryfield, Dundee.
Jimmy Spankie Grampian TV presenter.
Jack Lockhart Who became Pipe Major of The Bullionfield Paper Mill Pipe Band and later Bucksburn Bucksburn and District.
Davie Swan A drummer from Byron Crescent, Dundee
It is certain that I have missed a few great names who have passed through their hands.
Who are they??????
Donald Macleod was not entirely finished though. Still a strong devotee of Piping, he became the Bagpipe Instructor to Dundee High School. This was a post he held for many years, and I remember visiting him in the mid 1970's and he was still going strong, producing pipers of quality.
At the end of this page, I continued to follow the movements of the players as they entered the 1st Battalion Black Watch.
This second shot was taken in Blairgowrie in 1954 and show the McLeod Pipe Band winning the Dundee, Perth and Angus Branch Championship.
1957
and
National Service for four Dundee Local players
L to R....Jimmy Gilchrist, Lochee, Davie Swan, Byron Crescent, George Roger, Craigie Drive (now Carnoustie), and Jimmy Spankie, Maryfield (later Grampian TV presenter)
Attention all Macleod Pipe Band Fans
I have been in contact with Iain Macleod, a grandson of Angus senior and he has just
published a historical collectors item which includes the story of the Macleods and their music.
It also includes lots of information and photos of people and pipe bands in Dundee over many
years. Too much to miss.
I remember some years ago, visiting Angus junior and Donald and pouring over the hand written
manuscripts of original tunes written by all of them, and was luck enough to be permitted a hand
written copy of one or two of the tunes.
With the passing of these two wonderful men, I was sure that these tunes had gone for ever, but
out of nowhere popped Iain in the Channel Islands. He has spent a great deal of time and effort
with his rich inheritance and produced a masterpiece that I am delighted to I say I have bought copy.
Would you believe that this man has put together a book and then gone out and recorded a first
class CD of many of the tunes in the book in order of appearance.
No, this is not a sales pitch!
If you want one of these wonderful demonstrations of past technique just contact Iain direct at
Iain Macleaod..."Ballantrae" St Mary. Jersey. JE3 3DT
imjsy@jerseymail.co.uk
He will charge you the princely sum of £20 with of the proceeds going to Jersey Hospice Care.
The Black Watch in training at the S.S. Barracks in Berlin, before leaving to tour Canada & USA for three months
This is not far from Spandau Prison.
The final rehearsal before departure.
