Born and brought up on the Island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, and the eldest of ten children, John Archie MacDonald was interested in music from an early age. Gaelic was his first language and schooling was in Gaelic until the age of 10. Gaelic culture and traditions remain a strong force in John’s life and he keeps in touch with many island relatives as well as other traditional musicians.

 

At the age of 15 John left the island to join the army and there became interested in learning the Highland Bagpipes. He accomplished this ambition under the expert tutelage of Iain Morrison, one of the world’s premier solo players and a fellow islander, and Jock Allan who went on to become Director of Army Bagpipe Music.

 

John’s playing career progressed alongside his army career with the Queen’s Own Highlanders. The regimental pipe band performed all over the world. Appearances included the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the American Bi-Centennial celebrations and numerous foreign visits to Australia, Thailand and the Philippines where he played at the world premiere of the film ‘Sea Wolves’ for President and Imelda Marcos.

 

From 1986 to 1989 John held the rank of Pipe Sergeant of the Queen’s Own Highlanders. In 1984 he was awarded his Pipe Major’s certificate. Alongside his regular army duties John taught piping at Gordonstoun School and once even undertook the onerous task of preparing the King of Jordan’s own pipers for performances at Earl’s Court - the English equivalent of the Edinburgh Tattoo.

 

On leaving the army in 1990 John began a new career with Grampian Police Force and naturally joined the Grampian Police Pipe Band who, at that time, competed in Grade 3 competitions. The band won Grade 3 and ‘Champion of Champions’ before being promoted to Grade 2 in 1992. Also that year they won the Scottish and European Championship and were promoted to Grade 1.

 

Since retiring from the police in 2007 John has been much in demand to play at weddings, corporate events, funerals, promotions and gala dinners.

 

Clients include individuals, wedding couples, corporate organisations, marketing groups, hotels and event organisers. As a keen golfer John particularly enjoyed working with Highlands Loch Ness & Golf Highland Marketing Group on their recent marketing trip to China.

 

One of John’s favourite wedding and corporate venues is Urquhart Castle where couples are married amid the ancient ruins, and clients are entertained in style with fireworks and floodlights. Being an islander, John is of course quite at home on the water and many of his wedding clients choose to be married on mysterious Loch Ness aboard a Jacobite vessel. The sound of the pipes being played across Loch Ness is indeed evocative and memorable.