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NH2638 : Memorial to Pipe Major William Collie RossNH2638 : Memorial to Pipe Major William Collie RossNH2638 : Detail of memorial.

Extract from http://www.bagpipejourney.com/articles/whoswho.shtml#anchor_R

Ross, Willie. (1878 - 19??) Scottish. PM William Collie Ross M.V.O, M.B.E. was undoubtedly one of the greatest pipers Scotland ever produced. Born in 1878 in Glenstrathfarrar in The Highlands to Alick Ross and Mary Collie, he was one of a family of 3 sons and 3 daughters. William enlisted into the Scots Guards in 1896 and saw service in the Boer War and the Great War of 1914-1918. Promoted to Pipe Major of the 2nd Battalion in 1905, his brother Alick was to become Pipe Major of the 1st Battalion - a unique situation. William was invalided out of the army in 1919, suffering from acute rheumatic disorder following a hard life in the trenches. In 1920 he became Director of the Army School of Bagpipe Music and took his office and residence in Edinburgh Castle. His record in competitive piping was unique; Gold Medal - Inverness 1904, Gold Medal - Oban 1907, Open Piobaireachd winner in 1907, 1912 and 1928, winner of The Clasp in 1905, 1906, 1907, 1910, 1912, 1919, 1928 and 1931. As the former winner of the March, Strathspey and Reel at Oban and Inverness he was champion 11 times. Many regarded him as the world's greatest piper, a brilliant player, teacher and composer. He published 5 books of pipe music, which are used all over the world. Hundreds of pipers were tutored by William at Edinburgh Castle, many becoming fine pipers, including John D. Burgess, who won the Gold Medal at Oban and Inverness as a teenager. [This entry provided in April 2007 by 84-year-old Finlay M. Macrae of Dingwall, a pupil of PM Ross.]