John Macdonald, Pipe Major

Of North Uist lineage, born and raised in Vancouver, John was taught piping basics by Danny Murray of Lewis. As a member of the Seaforth Cadets John learned much from the band instructor John Macaulay (his first cousin) and later, in the Battalion, from Pipe Major Edmund Esson. In 1963 John moved to Powell River to teach Biology at Max Cameron Senior Secondary School. Soon afterwards he joined the Powell River Highland Laddies (now the Clansman Band) and over the years has moved from piper to Pipe Sergeant and eventually to Pipe Major.

His older son, Graham, became a piper with the Clansman Band and when he moved to Gibson's, the Sechelt Legion Band. Graham's wife, Lori, played tenor with Sechelt and their daughter, Erin, joined her Dad on the pipes before also learning to play the fiddle. John's younger son, Charles, played tenor drum with the band, competing successfully at Legion Games. So far, none of his four grandsons have taken up the pipes or drums, but they are young yet, so time will tell.