The world of Scottish music was stunned to hear of the death of Perthshire’s Gordon Duncan. One of the nation’s foremost pipers, the Pitlochry-born musician was just 41. Described as “one of the most stunning and innovative pipers of his generation” he was also a composer whose work received world renown.

He played with many top folk groups including Capercaillie, Wolfstone and Ceolbeg, as well as several notable pipe bands, including The Vale of Atholl. Through his CDs his music became known throughout the world, exposing a wide audience to his contemporary leanings to and his folk band experience, while also paying tribute to bagpipe tradition.

Ian Green, of Greentrax Recordings, paid tribute to him and said he and studio felt as if they had lost a member of their family. He described Gordon as an amazing composer and said he was one of the most innovative pipers Scotland had seen. “He could play in competition style, but saw no restrictions as far as the bagpipes were concerned,” Ian explained. “He had the most amazing fast fingers and it was that combination of a great tunesmith and innovative piping that meant he was in a different class. When his first album came out another renowned Scottish piper Hamish Moore said, ‘This man is precious and should be one of Scotland’s living national treasures.’ That for me just sums him up. He should have been recognised as a class musician, but unfortunately outstanding traditional musicians often don’t get the attention they deserve.”

Gordon hails from a family steeped in Scottish music and song, with father Jock a famous balladeer, known for his singing of bothy ballads. Brother Ian is also a well-known piper. Having previously been pipe major with The Vale of Atholl, he is currently pipe major of The Atholl Highlanders and teaches piping in Dundee schools.

Gordon released three albums, with his debut coming to world attention in 1994 and his latest released in 2002. Among his most popular and memorably titled tracks is Andy Renwick’s Ferret. The tune has gained international renown, being recorded over 100 times around the world on every conceivable instrument. He was just starting work on his fourth studio album.

Ian Green said it was hard to take the loss of a genius who was also “just a wonderful wee man. It was difficult to get him out of his shell in the beginning, but once you got to know him you found a genuine, nice fellow without a bad word to say about anyone.”