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Piping History of Bagpiper Tony Kelly – The Gordon Highlanders

This is a “potted history” of my piping career.  I have attached a few photographs to show the Highland Full Dress taken at functions in Guernsey, October 2008 and a wedding I played for in Marseilles, France. I wear two full Ceremonial Dress Uniforms, The Gordon Highlanders, (Green Tartan) with a Glengarry and Blackcock Feather and Royal Stewart, (Red Tartan) complete with Feather Bonnet. I also wear Ceremonial Evening Dress, worn when requested.

I was a Pipe-Major in the Gordon Highlanders and served in H M Forces for a total of 26 years. During my service, I have played at many Royal Functions and Dinners, Military Parades, Tournaments and Tattoo’s,  including  Edinburgh Castle, Hollyroodhouse etc., World – Wide Band Tours and European Film Premiers. i.e.” The Battle of Waterloo “ and  “The Tunes of Glory “

I spent four years in Brunei, as H M the Sultan’s Piper and Pipe-Major of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. This duty encompassed Band Tours in the Far East and Northern Australia and also a recording of Combined Band Music of the RBAF, in Singapore.

Since leaving the Armed Forces, I have played on various occasions for H M the Queen and Family, many Corporate and Military Functions and Dinner’s in London, including The Guildhall in London, Clarence House, Mansion House, Astor House, Spencer House etc., including Europe and the Far East.

I am also asked to perform on regular occasions during the year, at Charity Concerts for a travelling Opera Company called; “Divaopera” – who can be found on the World-Wide Web.
( www.divaopera.com  ) I travel to Switzerland, Paris and Guernsey with the Company on a regular basis and also performed in Turin, Italy, The Palace of Versailles and Dubai in 2009..

Whilst assisting with the musical advancement of the London Scottish Pipes & Drums in 2000, I had the honour of being on Parade for the 100th. Birthday Celebrations, for HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, in London’s Horse Guards Parade, also at Clarence House and the 100th. Birthday Celebration Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

Kind Regards,
Tony Kelly