This One’s For Lochlann

The piping and drumming world was saddened by the sudden death of piper Lochlann McKay on June 2 in Glasgow. McKay was a popular and talented member of the Grade 2 Lomond & Clyde Pipe Band, and his funeral will be on Monday, June 10.

Within hours of learning of her cousin’s passing, 16 year-old Robyn McKay, also of Inchinnan, Scotland, was inspired to write an air in his honour. The tune will be played at the memorial service.

A member of the Grade 3 St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band, Robyn McKay, like her late older cousin, is a rising star on the Scottish piping scene. She started at the age of six, taught by Gordon Walker and Michael Fitzhenry, and at age eight started instruction with Keith Bowes Sr., and two years ago started instruction with Keith Bowes Jr.

She is also member of the non-competing National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland’s senior band, and receives instruction from Gold Medalist Finlay MacDonald for light music, and will start soon with piobaireachd instruction from Roddy MacLeod.

Of her cousin, Robyn McKay said, “Lochlann’s always been there cheering me on, giving advice and support in every decision I make if needed and always has my back, protecting and watching over me at competitions and life in general. He wasn’t a cousin to me; he was a brother.

After finding out about Lochlann on Sunday, I started getting a small melody in my head and during the early hours of Monday it expanded into a whole tune.”

pipes|drums is pleased to share the score of “This One’s For Lochlann” by Robyn McKay with our many thousands of readers worldwide, and we thank her for sharing it at this difficult time