David Hutton, 1934-2012 (updated)

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of David “Davie” Hutton on January 31, 2012, following a battle with cancer.

Davie was a prominent figure in both the solo piping and pipe band worlds and was known by all of the top players and judges – having played beside many of the latter at some point in his career.

He first played with the Newmains & District Pipe Band at Shotts Highland Games in the mid-1940s, but it was with the great Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band for which Davie Hutton was most known. Working in Grangemouth, Scotland, Davie joined Muirheads in the 1950s and stayed with the band until its dismantling in the late-1970s. During that span he served as Pipe-Sergeant, winning eight World Pipe Band Championship titles, and dozens of other major championship victories.

Davie Hutton later went on to be a frequent judge at solo competitions in Scotland and frequented many of the games each summer. He latterly played with the Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band, winning another World’s title, bringing his total to nine. He was the resident piper at the Gleneagles Hotel and, up until his last days, knew every staff member, from the porters to the General Managers. It was often joked that Davie held more power in the hotel than anyone in management positions. Davie has a lodge named after him on the grounds of the hotel.

It was in the late 2000s that Davy rejoined a competitive pipe band and served, during what he believed to be his proudest days, playing alongside his granddaughter Connie in the ranks of the Denny & Dunipace Pipe Band. He went out as the band’s Grade 4A Pipe-Sergeant in the 2008 season, and played with the band until retiring after 2011 World Championships.

Davie would always entertain those at Denny with stories and jokes from his past experiences, and everyone was amazed at how he seemed to know everyone – when the band marched to the line, the judges would often talk to him, and not the Pipe-Major. This reputation earned Davie the affectionate nick-name of “The King” by all members of Denny – and secretly he loved it.

Davie Hutton leaves behind many friends in the pipe band world, and many friends made in his later years at Denny – the band will always remember him and respect him, and all of the band members consider it to be an honour to have played alongside him.

Davie is survived by his wife Johan, sons Iain and Lindsay, grandson Jamie and granddaughter Connie.

The funeral is scheduled for 1:15 pm, Monday, February 6, at Dundas Funeral Home, Bo’ness Road, Grangemouth, and then 2 pm at New Grand Sable Cemetery, Polmont.

On behalf of the world piping and drumming community, we extend our sympathies to Davie Hutton’s survivors and countless friends at this sad time.

– submitted by Mark Sutherland and Robbie Crow