CALL FOR MEDALS
The photo at left is a painting of William Ross, Queen’s Piper (1823-1891), by renown Scottish painter McNeil Macleay (1806-1883). Macleay was also a photographer and took the photo at right. It’s hard not to imagine that Macleay might have used the photograph as his model for the painting, though he took some creative license. In addition to becoming Queen’s piper after Angus Mackay died, William Ross was a pipemaker and a significant compiler of pipe music.
A colleague of mine is in possession of medals belonging to William Ross, and also to Donald MacKay (1845-1893), Piper to the Prince of Wales, and nephew of Angus Mackay, including Mackay’s Inverness Gold Medal. Should anyone know of the whereabouts of any other medals of Ross or Mackay, please email me at info@piping.on.ca.
McGillivray Piping Inc. is an online piping boutique specializing in bagpipes (vintage, new or reproduction), chanters, instructional material, music, and products. Finding the right bagpipe, chanter, reed or book, whether new or old, can be a challenge, and buyers need knowledgeable help. My more than 50 years of experience with pipers, and in piping at all levels, and my willingness to communicate, mean that my expertise is perhaps the most valuable product I offer.
