Dedicated Pipe Major Dennis Rodden, aged 85

Former Black Watch Pipe Major Dennis Rodden has died at the age of 85.

Born in Kirkcaldy in 1933 and brought up in Kennoway, Warrant Officer II Rodden joined The Black Watch as a national service soldier in 1954, having had his call-up papers deferred until he completed his apprenticeship as a motor mechanic.

He saw service in British Guyana, Belize and Cyprus as pipe major of the 1st Battalion from 1959 to 1961.

While still serving with The Black Watch, he spent eight years from 1962-70 as pipe major of the Highland Brigade Depot Pipes and Drums at Fort George and of the Scottish Division Depot Pipes and Drums at Gordon Barracks, Aberdeen.

This followed the amalgamation of the Lowland Brigade and Highland Brigade depots.

He spent his final six years of service as pipe major of the First Battalion, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, during which he served in Germany and completed three tours of duty in Northern Ireland.

He retired from the regular Army in 1976 after 22 years of service.

Mr Rodden was an accomplished piper who, in his day, was a successful solo competitor around the Highland games circuit. He took part regularly in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo where he performed as lone piper on several occasions.

His brothers Michael, Alex and Jimmy also served with The Black Watch.

On his return to civilian life, Mr Rodden settled in Kirkcaldy with wife Mary, who died four years ago, and their two children. He worked with GEC Mitchelston in Kirkcaldy until he retired and for many years kept up his piping as pipe major of the local Scottish Ambulance Service Pipe Band.

He also enjoyed several trips to Germany to perform with Blechschaden, the brass section of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of his cousin, Bob Ross, their musical director and a fellow Kirkcaldy man.

Mr Rodden is survived by his daughter Donna and son Brian.

Pipe Major Dennis Rodden.