Between 1948 and 1990, whenever Donald MacPherson stepped onto the platform a hush fell. His mastery has set the benchmark of excellence in Highland bagpiping for generations. Despite his infrequent attendance, Donald made history at the premier piping competitions by winning first prize on most of his visits. A precision engineer by profession, he was never a keen performer nor self-promoter and recordings of him are rare. it is 50 years since Donald MacPherson made history, winning both the Gold Medal and the former winners' events on the same day at the prestigeous Northern Meeting. His extraordinary success at Scotland's premier competitions lasted from 1948 until his retirement in 1990, and is never likely to be equalled. Pibroch, the seventeenth-century bagpipe music of Gaelic Scotland, contains the most sophisticated, soulful melodies of any nation.
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