A brief appraisal of Gordon Duncan, Piper & Composer.

A few days ago (16-12-05) word came from Pitlochry that Gordon Duncan had died. Still in his early 40s, the son of the great bothy ballad singer Jock was supernaturally gifted on the pipes. He leaves some brilliant studio albums, but his live playing was astonishing.

Gordon Duncan, who came from Perthshire was arguably the most stunning and innovative pipers of his generation.

He played with many of the top folk groups including Capercaillie, Wolfstone and Ceolbeg as well as several notable pipe bands especially The Vale of Atholl.

He was also a respected composer of pipe tunes.

He also recorded several solo CDs including "Just For Seamas", "Thunderstruck" and "The Circular Breath.�

He emerged unannouced as a lively presence in contemporary piping and his recordings drew on his folk band experience while also paying due respect to bagpiping tradition by including piobaireachd within his repertoire.

His composing skills have now seen many of his tunes enter the repertoire of pipe bands and folk bands alike - - Andy Renwick's Ferret, Pressed For Time and The Barovan to name only three. Gordon Duncan put piping on the map for a whole new generation.