Music Tree | Alasdair Gillies

Alasdair Gillies

The Scottish piper with more wins than anyone in recent history

Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies has had an astounding number of successes at piping competitions, winning more Highland bagpiping championships than anyone in recent history. Alasdair won every event he entered at the Northern Meeting in Inverness in 1986. He won the Inverness Former Winners MSR 11 times between 1986 to 2005, more than anyone previously. And in 2002, he won the Glenfiddich Championship MSR for the sixth time. No wonder the readers of Piper & Drummer magazine named Alasdair as the best piper of the 20th century. Alasdair is also in demand as a teacher and piping competition judge. For more than twelve years, he has been director of the piping program at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And he formerly served 17 years as piper and Pipe Major with the Queen’s Own Highlanders, preparing recruits to be regimental pipers. He is also a member of the Spirit of Scotland, an all star Grade 1 pipe band comprised of the world’s top solo players for competing at the 2008 World Pipe Band Championships and featured in the documentary On the Day.

“Perhaps the greatest MSR piper ever.”
Piper & Drummer magazine, Canada

“The best piper in the world. Alasdair’s competitive record in Scotland and the United States is without parallel in the history of piping.”
Pipe Major John D. Burgess MBE, FSA, Piper to the Northern Meeting, Piper to The Royal Celtic Society

“The most noted of all solo pipers in Scotland, and famous around the world.”
The Chronicle, Australia

“Solo piping at its best.”
FolkWorld, UK

“The greatest. Alasdair Gillies is in a league by himself. The Michael Jordan of piping.”
James H. McIntosh MBE, former Director of Bagpipe Music, Carnegie Mellon University

“A splendid performance.”
The Times, UK

“His performance was quite magnificent. The ‘cognoscenti’ all agreed that we heard something quite special.”
Anthony Coutts-Britton, SHAPE-Macallan Burns Society, Belgium

“A dazzling, multi-tempoed set.”
The Scotsman, UK

“One of today’s most successful competitive pipers.”
The Voice, USA

“The best piper of the 20th century.”
Voted by the readers of Piper & Drummer magazine

Macmeanmna, Lismor, and Monarch Records | Available year-round solo or with his ensemble Píobaire

Alasdair Gillies video, photos, audio, and press kit + Web site