The Lower Clarence Scottish Association is proud to announce that Willie MacCallum, a generational talent in the world of the Great Highland Bagpipe, will be visiting Maclean for the 2026 Maclean Highland Gathering. The recital will be held at the Former Maclean Services Club 36-38 River Street, Maclean from 7.30 pm on Saturday 4 April 2026. The event is free, and no bookings are required. Do not miss this unique opportunity to hear one of the world’s best in person.
A native of Campbeltown, Kintyre, Willie received his main tuition from his uncles Ronald and Hugh and also came under the guidance of another relation, his second cousin P/M Ronald McCallum, MBE – all champion pipers. The McCallum family can trace their piping directly back to John McAlister who won the prize pipe in 1782 at the Falkirk Tryst. Willie has been competing in piping competitions since 1973.
Piping Champion
Upon turning to open piping in 1979, he won his very first professional contest, the Piobaireachd event at Inveraray Highland Games against some of the finest competitors in Scotland. His solo prize winning list is incomparable and includes: Glenfiddich Invitational Piping Championship – Overall Champion, a record nine times, Glenfiddich Invitational Piping Championship – MSR Winner – eleven times, Glenfiddich Invitational Piping Championship – Piobaireachd Winner – four times, Inverness Gold Medal – Winner – 1989, Oban Gold Medal – Winner – 1995, Silver Chanter – Dunvegan, Skye – Winner – three times, Bratach Gorm – Scottish Piping Society of London – Winner – four times, Argyllshire Gathering – Senior Piobaireachd – three times, Argyllshire Gathering – Former Winners MSR – five times, Argyllshire Gathering – Open Marches – 1987, Argyllshire Gathering – Open Strathspey & Reel – 1987
He was a member of the successful Grade One Pipe Bands Babcock Renfrew, British Caledonian Airways, Scottish Power and Spirit of Scotland. During that time, he enjoyed several Pipe Band Championship wins and worked with some of the most successful Pipe Majors in the history of pipe bands. He has played for HM Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle, as well as regularly for HM King Charles.
Chief Peter Smith, of the Lower Clarence Scottish Association, said “We are extremely excited to have a piper of Willie McCallum’s calibre coming to Maclean for Easter. We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Andrew & Amy Roach in arranging Willie’s visit to Maclean and to Riverview Funerals for their generous support.”
The Maclean Highland Gathering takes place over the Easter weekend April 3-4 in Maclean, NSW. For further details visit: www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au
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