Piper went worldwide with talent

ADundee piper who performed for the Pope, Queen Elizabeth and at the Beijing Olympics has died aged 76. After a long battle with cancer, Pipe Major Richard Smith passed away peacefully at Roxburghe House on April 17.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Richard succeeded Pipe Major William Smith as the head of the Mains of Fintry Pipe Band from the late 1980s.

Despite the band being focused on community rather than competing, this did not dent Richard’s ambition to play at prestigious events.

Under his leadership, Mains of Fintry performed at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 having been spotted playing in France.

This performance was thought to have been seen by four billion people around the globe – one of the biggest audiences for any Scottish pipe band in the world. Band members kept it a secret, with friends and family finding out when they watched the band march out into the stadium.

Richard was also invited to play with several grade two pipe bands and Mains of Fintry when Pope Benedict XV1 visited Scotland in 2010.

The esteemed piper also gave performances for Queen Elizabeth at Glamis Castle and Braemar Gatherings.

His talent – which saw him play at the Moulin Rouge in Paris – took him around the world, playing and teaching the bagpipes in Japan, Canada, Barbados, France, Belgium and Romania.

Described by family as a “largerthan-life character”, Richard spent his career as a master butcher in Dundee and as an abattoir meat inspector in Forfar.

He was also a marksman with what was originally the Park Wynd Rifle Club in Dundee.

Richard will be remembered for his loyalty and love for the Mains of Fintry Pipe Band. He will be sadly missed by family and friends. A service will be held at Dundee Crematorium on Thursday at 10.30am.

MUSIC: Pipe Major Richard Smith has died at the age of 76.