Perthshire farmer and piper Duncan McDiarmid, 84

Duncan Diarmid McDiarmid, a much respected figure in Scottish agriculture and an accomplished piper, has died at Weem aged 84.

Born at Rannoch where his father farmed the hill farms of Invercomrie and Finnart, he was educated at local schools and at Merchiston Castle, where he learned the pipes from Pipe Major Hance Gates of the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band.

His father’s initial wish was that he should pursue the legal career which he himself had been denied, but Mr McDiarmid chose to follow many generations of his family into farming.

His time at agricultural college was cut short when, in 1949, his father became a member of the Scottish Land Court, as he was later to do, and he was called back to take over the two hill farms, along with Mains of Murthly at Aberfeldy.

In 1954 he and his father purchased part of the Menzies Estate at Weem, including the then derelict Castle Menzies. Thereafter Mr McDiarmid managed the entire enterprise until he was joined by his younger brother John.

In 1961 he married Margaret Hamilton of Crosswoodhill West Calder and they set up home at Castle Menzies Farm where they brought up their three children.

In 1976, he was asked to join the Scottish Land Court which was set up in 1912 to adjudicate landlord/tenant disputes in crofting and agricultural tenancies. He remained a devoted member of the court for 20 years.

He was a gifted musician and could play piano and the accordion well, but his first love was the Highland bagpipe.

Mr McDiarmid was a member of the Atholl Highlanders for more than 60 years, serving as pipe sergeant for more than 20 years and as pipe band president until his death.

He was at various times president of the Aberfeldy Show and of the Aberfeldy branch of An Comunn Gaidhealach for whom he ran the local mod for many years.

Pre-deceased by his wife in 2013, he is survived by his three children and seven grandchildren.