William Barrie dies

William Barrie, one of the last direct links to the “Cameron” piobaireachd style of playing, died in hospital in British Columbia on March 27.

A pupil of the great Robert Reid for many years, Barrie was only two generations of teaching removed from the famous Sandy Cameron, who taught John MacDougall Gillies, who in turn taught Reid.

Barrie’s son, James, is also a piper of repute. The elder Barrie and his son made Ancient Piobaireachd, two very successful recordings of piobaireachd in the Cameron style.

With his passing, only a handful of third-generation Cameron-style pipers remain, including William Connell of London, Ontario, and Lt-Col. David Murray of Lauder, Scotland.

Our sympathies go out to William Barrie’s family and friends.