07.05.1981 – 17.01.2018 (36 years young)
It is with great sadness we advise our members of the passing of Mr Iain Westgate, former VP Piping and piping tutor in Western Australia.
In just over 2 years of being in Western Australia, Iain made a massive impact on so many people both in the pipe band community and also socially around Perth.
The sad news was received in the early hours of last Thursday morning here in Perth and was made public by his family later that evening. There have been many messages on social media by his friends & family and past band mates all providing touching tributes to a great man.
Iain was employed at the WA Police Service, were he was an integral member of the WA Police Pipe Band leadership group. As Pipe Sergeant, Iain’s musical contribution was obvious in the band’s musical selection and overall performances.
He also assisted a local band, tutoring the Shadow Highlanders Pipe Band and leading them to an interstate competition. He was a member of the Pipe Band Club, Sydney, and also a member of the Australia Highlanders Pipe Band.
In the 2 years Iain was in this country, he touched the lives of so many, and his support and enthusiasm of piping will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of his tutelage, bandsmanship and friendship.
Iain returned to the UK in July of 2010, where he was able to fulfil a childhood dream and play with the world famous Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band under the legendary Pipe Major, Robert Mathieson. The band finished 5th in Grade 1 that year, a result that Iain was very proud of. “Not bad for an Englishmen”, he said!
Iain began his campaign to produce a highly competitive English pipe band to compete against the Scots. And as we would all would expect, Iain made this happen by attaining the British Championships in G3A with the RAF Halton/Waddington Pipe Band, where he was Pipe Major.
In 2016, the City of London Pipe Band was created from the amalgamation of the University of Bedfordshire and the RAF Halton Pipe Bands. (Please visit the City of London PIpe Band FB Page for a full history of Iain’s hard work and achievements in a very short time.)
To his family and friends, we extend our deepest sympathies.
Rest in peace, Pipe Major Iain Westgate.
There will be a memorial here in Perth for all those who wish to pay their respects. Details will be posted on this page when available.
