As I’m about to head to Ian’s funeral at Glasgow Cathedral, I’m sure some of our members in faraway lands send their apologies.

Glasgow Cathedral has a streaming service that is held on YouTube.

Please use this link if you would like to see the live recorded service.

Glasgow Cathedral

Ian’s family have advised that the funeral will be held on

Friday 19th December 2025
13.30 at Glasgow Cathedral

15.30 at Dalnotter Crematorium, Clydebank.

Thereafter onto Windyhill Golf Club, Bearsden.

I’m sure a large 214 turnout (in their ties) would be appreciated by the family, amongst what I expect to be a greatly attended funeral.

I’m sorry to have to announce the passing of Ian McLellan BEM (88) this morning Wednesday 3rd December 2025, at his home in Bearsden.

Ian joined the company in 1948 after receiving 2 years chanter tuition at the hand of Alex Ibell.

He always promoted the 214 in its strongest light, as it had provided him with so much.

Having learned at the 214 this laid the foundations of his life to come.

A regular attender at the Annual Reunions Ian always had some great stories to tell and enjoyed meeting up with all the Ex Members young and old.

Ian was not only a 214 legend but a worldwide one and his life touched so many throughout the piping world, both as a piper and a person.

I have written more about Ian, which I will place on the website in the near future.

Funeral arrangements once clarified by Ian’s family, will be posted as soon as we know them.

Meanwhile I am sure all Ex Members join me in sending our condolences to the whole of Ian’s family at this sad time.

As most will know we launched a new tie at last year’s Centenary Civic reception.

This is available to buy for members who have missed out on getting one.

If any Ex Member would like to receive a tie(s) can you please contact the Secretary (Email, Text, WhatsApp, FB Messenger, Carrier pigeon, whatever suits you best.)

We can arrange to get your tie sent out and let you know the cost including postage and where to pay this.

The association has had to purchase these ties and we are looking to recoup our outlay, ties are charged at cost price.

A couple of international members have already indicated they would like to receive a tie.

We would like to send all orders out along with this year’s Christmas card.

The Secretary looks forward to hearing from those who are looking to purchase ‘their association tie’.

I am writing to inform you that Steven Hamilton (93) passed away on Monday 23rd June 2025.

Steven was with us at the top table of our recent Centenary celebrations last year.

As a young man leaving school he started working for Glasgow City Council and spent his entire working career there.

Initially as a clerk he worked up to become ‘The Town Clerk’ and ‘Chief Executive Officer’ of the city Council retiring around 30 years ago.

Bailie Hanif Raja (MBE) who was hosting the event on behalf of the Lord Provost and the City, remembered Steven from his younger days in the Council.

Steven’s funeral will be held at Clydebank Crematorium on Wednesday 2nd July 2025 at 3.30pm.

We send on our condolences to Steven’s family at this sad time.

I’m sure some 214 ties on the day would be welcomed to send off one of our oldest Ex-Members.

(Unfortunately I am unable to attend as I’m on holiday.)

Sorry to advise another of our elder members Norman Webster passed away last Sunday 20th April 2025 at the age of 94.

Norman a quiet gentleman and regular at all the reunions would sit with Neil MacFadyen.

Unfortunately over the last year or so his health and mobility declined after 93 years of a fit life.

Funeral service will be held at Barrhead Crematorium on Friday 2nd May 2025 at 12.00 noon.

Our thoughts go to his daughter Allison and all the family at this sad time.

(I apologise in the delay in getting this post put up)

“I arrived a wee bit late as I had to drop my brother off at the door then move to the car park.

I then got to the visitor Centre at Tennent’s to find that there were already 15 plus 214 boys at the bar, this at 3 minutes past 7!!!

No big surprise really, sampling Scotland’s Finest Lager.

The bar also had a dark beer available a kind of ‘Lookee likee Guinness’, as well as spirits and soft drinks.

Everything you need for a P U in a brewery.

Alan Davidson the butcher to the pie starved masses, could not come to the event  BUT HIS PIES COULD. GOOD NEWS INDEED! Click here to see their produce

I think Joe Noble brought them.

Fergus behind the bar got them into the pie oven pronto.

I went back to the car to get the napkins and vitally, the ketchup and brown sauce without which the pies could not be served, it’s the law in Glasgow. Iain should have reminded me.

The chat round the room grew louder by the minute, it was like a good night out with your pals, which it indeed turned out to be.

Some even went around the visitor centre part of the building, this only happened when the thirsty troops were reassured that the bar would not close until c 9.30, and that they could take their pints for a wander downstairs.

When most of the lads had returned  from the cultural part of the evening, Pies were served.

Davie Kyle was the main spokesman in favour of G.H. Davidsons pies being the very best he had ever tasted, no grease and a right good meat filled crust. Many agreed that the pies were the stars of the show, which had only been spoiled by me not bringing the right sauces.

No HP brown or Heinz Ketchup😱😱😱 I had made the basic error of buying sauce in M&S in Milngavie.

All too soon it was “last orders” the staff were very understanding, but firm, no more lads.

Many of the troops cheered up when reminded that there was a great wee East End bar, “The Ladywell” only 30 yards across the street, most of the ” Dirty Dozen” managed to cross Duke St, without the police being involved.

But what became of the them I know not, were they ever seen again?

I left them there, to get to my car, only to find out that it was locked in the car park😭😭😭

Overall I think it was a really good night, and something that we should think about repeating,  Let us know at the Reunion with a big AYE  if you agree.

Looking forward to The Civic reception in October.

Next time I will get the bus.

Cheers Don Glass (Chairman)

Email invites have gone out to Ex Members, for those that have replied I thank you.

To help us plan for numbers can I ask those that haven’t replied to please do so.

Otherwise I’ll be sending out emails, text messages, WhatsApp messages, FB Messenger, phone calls, Smoke signals or getting my crystal ball looked out.

Thanking you in advance.