Dr Nigel Malcolm-Smith, for 37 years personal piper to Andrew
MacThomas of Finegand, Chief of the Clan MacThomas, took the
decision to remit this honorary post at the Clan Gathering at
Glen Shee in August 2008.
In announcing Nigel’s decision, Finegand declared that
Nigel had fulfilled the role of personal piper with great
distinction over a long period of time. He had also attended
all Clan Gatherings in that period except for two, a
remarkable achievement.
Nigel has had a long career as a piper. Whilst a
student at Edinburgh Academy, Nigel was taught to play the
pipes by Pipe Major John Ross and was also fortunate to have
the opportunity to study piping under the world-class piper
and composer, Pipe Major Willie Ross. Subsequently he joined
the Officers Training Corps at the University of Edinburgh,
where he became Pipe Major of the OTC pipe band. As a soloist
at that time he won the Scottish Universities Piobaireachd
Competition. Since 1958 Nigel has been a regular judge of solo
piping at many highland games including Strathardle,
Lochearnhead, Inveraray, and
Carnoustie.
One may wonder whether there could be any
genealogical link between Nigel Malcolm-Smith and the Clan
MacThomas. In fact, Nigel’s grandmother Gertrude Hannon was
sister to Jessie Black, whose daughter Evelyn married Alfred
MacThomas Thoms. Alfred and Evelyn’s son Patrick Thoms changed
the family name back to MacThomas and commenced the
revitalisation the Clan MacThomas, which had been dormant for
a long period. Patrick’s oldest son Andrew MacThomas of
Finegand is the present Clan Chief. I’m told this means that
Nigel and Andrew are second cousins twice
removed.
Nigel recalls two stories from his long career
as Clan piper. At the evening dance at one of the Clan
Gatherings in Glenshee it was announced that ‘the best piper
in Scotland is now going to play us a few tunes’. About to get
to his feet but murmuring to himself that he was certainly not the best piper in
Scotland, Nigel paused as the announcer continued that Murray
Henderson – who certainly was the best piper in
Scotland at that time – had dropped in on his way back from
the Lonach Gathering and had offered to play a few
tunes!
On another occasion, Nigel had been camping
overnight in Glen Shee ready for the MacThomas Gathering the
following day. Crawling out of his tent, complete with kilt
and bowtie, he found he had some time to spare. Thinking to
defray some of his expenses Nigel started playing at the
roadside, pipe case at his feet to collect donations. Only
three cars stopped, two of the groups to take photos and one
to ask directions. Nigel’s status as an amateur was preserved
though he was somewhat miffed at the frugality of the
Scots.
Nigel qualified in Medicine in 1960 and had a
career as a consultant anaesthetist at the Royal Infirmary of
Edinburgh. He still lives in Edinburgh with his wife Ann,
still plays in a pipe band and attends regular piping events
and recitals. He is a long-standing member of the Scottish
Pipers’ Society. Nigel will maintain his strong link with the
Clan MacThomas and has been invited to accompany Finegand at
The Gathering in Edinburgh as part of the Homecoming
2009.
Ron Thom (Current
Piper to the Chief)
The above article was orinally published
in the 2009 edition on the
