Yesterday I received the sad news while on holiday that Hector Russell (77) had suddenly passed away on Saturday 24th September 2022.

I along with a good few were only just talking to him last week at Willie McDonald’s funeral, where he was updating me on an upcoming 214 project.

Hector will be greatly missed by all in the 214BB Ex Members Association, as well as by myself.

Thankfully once Hector got an idea he was like a dog with a bone, constantly badgering Ex Members for information.

This sterling work produced a massive amount of content for the benefit of all, which thankfully is available on this, our website.

Most recently in collaboration with The Kinloch Historical Society, Lewis, in bringing ‘The Pipe Tunes of Pipe Major Alex M MacIver to book form.

Robert Wallace has produced today’s Pipingpress article on Hector’s piping career which can be read here.

I’m sure you all join me in sending our condolences to Marlene his wife and the rest of the family at this sad time.

(Funeral details to be advised.)

As you may have heard or read, there is a book that has been published by the Kinloch Historical Society in Lewis. This is where Alex’ family originally comes from.

The book lays out the work that Hector Russell has compiled for us with the help of Janette Montague. The book has a lot of other historical work added regarding Alex, along with family photos and memoirs which you won’t have seen before.

The book has been reviewed by Barry Donaldson in Robert Wallace’s Piping Press website and can be read here.

The book is currently on sale via the Kinloch Historical Society’s website at £15.00 which can be found here.

As previously highlighted on these pages PM Roddy McLeod held a “Recital of Alex’ tunes” during the summer at the Community Hub in Balallan, Lewis.

My next news post will feature this.

Willie’s children Eileen and Alastair, advise me that his funeral will take place at Cardross Crematorium on Friday 16^th Sept 2022 at 2.15pm, with refreshments afterwards at the Cardross Inn.

Family and friends are all welcome at both places.

They realise that for some it will not be possible to attend in person and they warmly invite them to join in spirit by using the following Live Stream link on Friday afternoon:

 www.westreamitfunerals.co.uk/mcdonaldw

The stream will begin at 2:15pm on Friday 16th September 2022. Please follow the instructions on the screen to attend.

Both Eileen and Alastair are looking forward to sharing bright memories with you all on Friday.

Details of Crematorium can be found here.

https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/cardross-crematorium

Sorry to say that Willie McDonald (95) passed away on 7th September 2022, the day before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

His daughter Eileen advises:

“It’s with bittersweet sadness that I have to tell you and the ex members of the 214 that our father, William McDonald, beat the Queen by one day, slipping away peacefully to be reunited with the other Two Amigos early on 7 Sept 2022.”

“He was in the Royal Alexandra in Paisley following a bad fall on 2 Sept, which seemingly put strain on his heart. Thankfully, my brother Alastair was over from Germany to give me a break, so Dad saw his son in his last few days and I came back to be with him too.”

“The Pipe Tunes of Alex McIver” still sits on the table beside his armchair, having been looked through many times.

“I frequently found him engrossed in it when I came into the living room. Thank you once again, Hector, for presenting him with his signed first edition.”

“It will remain a treasured memento in the family.”

“Once we have funeral arrangements in place, we will, of course, let you and the ex-members know.”

With best wishes

Eileen McDonald

I’m sure all Ex Members will join me in sending our condolences to the family at this time.

Willie a piper had played in Pipe Bands all of his life, including Rutherglen (along with Alex MacIver and Gus McDonald), Helensburgh & Clan Colquhoun Pipe Bands. He was also a regular attender of the Piping Club in Glasgow.

Willie featured in one of our Articles ‘214 Boys at War’. (Click here to view)

On the eve of the 2022 World Championships in Glasgow, the band has announced that Leading Drummer Gordon Brown is to retire after over 30 years service to the organisation.

Kerr McQuillan son of the 214BB Ex Members Treasurer (Stephen) has been announced as Gordon’s successor.

I’m sure the Ex Members will all remember Kerr after playing at a few of our Annual Reunions.

On his new appointment, Kerr said:

Becoming the leading drummer of Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band has always been my dream. It is an opportunity that I am hugely excited for and I’m confident that the team we have across the entire Boghall organisation has the potential to achieve great things. I can’t wait to get started working with such a musically talented group where we all share the same drive and ambitions.

Kerr has big ‘Ghillie Brogues’ to fill as he takes over the role, following on from Gordon and his father Tom Brown MBE, two legends in pipe band drumming.

Brian Gilda the Chairman and MD of Peoples Ford summed it up well by saying:

The baton once more gets passed, in this instance to young Kerr, a long standing Band member and a prodigy of Gordon. His age probably belies his talent and musical skills but as one famous football manager once said if he’s good enough age doesn’t matter.

I am sure all Ex Members wish Kerr & the Band all the success for the future.

Click here to link to the Bands website for their full news post.

A new article has been added to the Memories tab on the website.

This is a transcript of the 2019 Ex Members Reunion piece that Ally presented on the night.

Click here to see it

I can confirm that Gordon’s funeral is to be held at Linn Crematorium on

Thursday 7th July at 1pm.

I’m sure the family (and Gordon as an Ex Company Captain), would be very grateful to have as many Ex-Members as possible who are available to attend.

Gordon can be seen in this photo (no(36) on website) on far right.

For details about Linn Crematorium click here

I am sorry to advise that Gordon MacIntyre (82) passed away peacefully in the early hours of the morning yesterday, Sunday 26th June 2022. Gordon had been in hospital after a long illness.

Gordon served the 214BB as both boy and man, holding the Captaincy in 1961-1963, after Bob Ferguson.

Always the 214 stalwart Gordon was always willing to help in any way he could.

He also served as a Committee member and Treasurer of the Ex Members Association for a great number of years.

We all send our condolences to his wife of 57 years, Margaret (nee Burns, who was also a ‘Gordon Parker’) and the rest of the family at this sad time.

Funeral details to follow

The long-awaited piping recital of Alex M MacIver’s tunes by Pipe Major Roddy Macleod will be held next month in Balallan.

Event organisers were forced to postpone the proceedings – originally planned for 2020 – twice due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The recital will be held on Friday, June 24th 2022 in the Community Hub in Balallan.

It is a fitting tribute to Alex MacIver’s legacy as both he and Roddy have connections to the Lochs area of Lewis.

The piping recital has been planned by The Lewis and Harris Piping Society in conjunction with the Kinloch Historical Society.

Sorry to say that Finlay Drynan passed away on Friday 6th May 2022.

Don Glass our Chairman, who was Finlay’s best man at his and Isobel’s wedding, advises he hadn’t been too well lately and reckons he would have been 73 or 74.

Finlay’s funeral is to be held at 2.30pm on Monday the 23rd May 2022 at Dalnottar.

Thereafter at Willowbank Bowling Club just off Byres Road.

Finlay and Isobel were ex members of The Glasgow Hebridean Choir and sang at many a Mod over the years.

I in fact remember being on a Choir trip with them to the Isle of Man, back in the late eighties early nineties.

Click this link to see their performance.

https://images.app.goo.gl/HE7drHfRH94XsNAL6

We all send our condolences to Isobel and the family at this sad time.