Leslie Watson, 1958-2009

We regret to announce the passing of Les Watson on August 16, 2009, aged 50.

 

Born on September 28, 1958, in Annan, Scotland, Watson was initially taught to play the pipes by his father, Alex, and thereafter by Jimmy McRoberts of Annan. He played in Dumfries RBL, Thornhill and Annan Ex-Servicemen pipe bands under Pipe-Major Walter Cowan.

 

In 1986 moved to Edinburgh and joined the Lothian & Borders Police as a serving police officer and a piper in the band. He was Pipe-Major of Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band from 1994 to 1996, and then returned to be a piper within the band.

 

Les Watson also became tutor and Pipe-Major of the Craigmount High School Novice Juvenile Pipe Band, leading them to success in several championships.

 

He was also an accomplished solo player and gained a third in the Silver Medal at the Northern Meeting in the 1980s. Les Watson retired from the police force in 2008.

 

The funeral will take place on Monday, August 24th, with a church service at 10:30 am within the St. Andrew’s Church, Clermiston, Edinburgh, thereafter he will be taken back home to Annan for his burial at 14:30 pm at Annan Cemetery.

 

Our thoughts are with his family and his many friends at this sad time.