Perth-born piping virtuoso Bill Clement MBE, who served with the Atholl Highlanders for more than 50 years, has died aged 89.
An inspirational figure who spent his adult life educating young people in the finer points of piping and Scottish country dancing, he was also a full-time teacher of technical education.
”Clem”, as he was affectionately known, was born in Perth into a family with a long tradition of piping.
Due to illness he did not start primary school in Perth until he was seven-and-a-half, only to leave school for good six years later.
For a brief period he endured a short-lived career as a message boy. However, having missed out on a secondary education, Mr Clement enrolled in evening classes in Perth and it was there that his appreciation of education really took root.
At 18, and by now an apprentice joiner, he ripped up the letter exempting him from National Service and threw it into the River Tay. And so his army years with The Black Watch began.
It was with The Black Watch that Mr Clement perfected his piping skills, ending up as pipe major of the 10th Battalion.
In 1944 the army encouraged him to assist in the technical department workshop at Lockerbie Academy.
From this point on he knew what he wanted to do and in 1948 he undertook his first teaching post at Rockwell Junior Secondary School in Dundee, where he spent eight years.
Looking for a change of scene, he applied for a job in Dumfriesshire, beginning a 55-year connection with Wallace Hall Academy.
He found that he had a lot of free time and made it known that if anybody wanted to learn the pipes he was happy to teach them.
Mr Clement was invited to join the Atholl Highlanders in 1947 under Pipe Major Peter Wilkie and continued to serve for another 52 years, latterly as pipe sergeant.
In 1948 he became piper to the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
He retired from teaching in 1983 but continued to teach piping and dancing.
Mr Clement found love through Scottish country dancing, marrying Atsuko Mikami in 1986.
Recognition of his achievements culminated in two important awards: the MBE for his services to piping and Scottish country dancing, and an award from the Japanese Consul General bestowed by the Japanese Foreign Ministry for strengthening ties between Japan and Scotland.
Mr Clement faced his greatest challenge last summer when he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. He responded in his own inimitable style.
During the very full months that followed he completed his tune book, A Collection of Bagpipe Tunes, worked on his memoirs, attended a lunch in Edinburgh with the Japanese Consul General, visited Japan and, less than a month ago, attended the Atholl Highlanders’ jubilee parade at Blair Castle.
Mr Clement is survived by Atsuko and his sister Sheila, who lives in Australia.