On a recent visit to the National Piping Centre in Glasgow the Rotary Club of Barrhead presented a Paul Harris Fellowship, the highest honour which Rotary can bestow, to Iain MacDonald.

Iain has been pipe major of the Neilston and District Pipe Band for more than 40 years and the award was bestowed in recognition of his huge contributions both to the local community and his development and leadership of the band.

However the rotary club has also paid homage to Iain’s impact on piping across Scotland and to piping in Scotland.

Rotary club district governor John Waddell and Barrhead Rotary Club president Angela Samson were on hand to make the presentation, which took Iain by surprise.

And to add to the moment, his wife Anne, daughter Fiona, son Finlay and grandchildren arrived in time to see the presentation.

Iain is head of a family of pipers, son Finlay ‘Head of Piping Studies’ at the National Piping Centre, daughter Fiona and grandson Joe are also keen pipers.

Carolyn Cameron joined Fiona and Finlay to entertain everyone by giving a rousing rendition on the pipes prior to the presentation.

A spokesman for the Rotary club said: “Many young people have come through the ranks of the band, but safe to say tens if not hundreds of people from all walks of life and social/cultural backgrounds have had their lives positively enhanced by the band, but in particular by Iain’s ethos of inclusion and fun music making.

“A link with the Rotary Club, which is but one of the many examples of how much Iain has done for local youngsters, is Carolyn Cameron, daughter of Adrian Ward a founder member of the club.

“Carolyn was taught by Iain from a beginner to playing as a full member of the band while still a teenager — travelling to Spain and also to Japan, when the band was selected to play at the opening of the World Trade Centre.

“Keeping a promise made years earlier, Iain played at Carolyn’s wedding and she returned the compliment by playing along with Finlay and Fiona.” Some of Iain’s students have gone on to be pipe majors of some of the best bands in the world, played with the finest orchestras or teaching with the same beliefs that Iain has passed on from an early age. Meanwhile, the band have supported every local event possible and made a significant contribution to the overall cultural and musical health of the area.

The Barrhead Rotary Club sets the bar high when presenting Paul Harris Fellowships to non-Rotarians. The award has been made to a few local worthy individuals including former Provost Betty Cunningham; however the only other musician to receive the award was Midge Ure for his work with Band Aid so Iain is in excellent company.