James Sutherland (1865-1946)
James Sutherland (shown above) was born at
Rosskeen, Ross-shire and was taught by Pipe Major James
MacDonald. He joined the 1st Seaforth Highlanders as a piper in
1883. He served 21 years with the Regiment. He became Pipe Major
in 1893 but was transferred to the 3rd Militia Battalion in
1885.
In 1912 he was made Pipe Major of the 5th Royal Scots (T.F.),
Queen's Edinburgh.
In 1915 he was rejected for active service and transferred to
the reserves, where he became Pipe Major of the 1st Volunteer
Battalion Royal Scots. He was also instructor to the Royal
Scottish Pipers' Society from 1910-1914.
Sutherland's overseas posting was Egypt where he composed his
great little 2/4 march ‘The Pipers’ Cave,’ named after the
Pipers’ room in the Barracks in Cairo. The officers saw the
potential of the tune but did not like the title and persuaded
him to name it ‘3rd Seaforth’s Farewell to Cairo’. This is the
title on page 264 of C. A. Malcolm’s
The Piper in Peace and War,
but when Sutherland finally published it in the Seaforth's book,
he changed it back to the original title.
He was a successful competitor,
though not top-rank, having won neither of the Gold Medals, and
was also an adept Highland dancer, winning the Sword Dance at
Oban in 1911. Whenever possible, he and his good friend Angus
MacPherson of Invershin played for each other in the Highland
dancing. After his active service he taught piping and dancing
for a living. In his later years he was seen much as a judge of
both piping and dancing events. He counted Willie Ross and Dr.
Willie MacPhail - the author of this tune - among his best
friends.
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