I Piped, That She Might Dance: The Lost Journal of Angus MacKay, Piper to Queen Victoria

I Piped, That She Might Dance by Iain MacDonald, with a foreword by Hugh Cheape, is an historical novel based on the life of Angus MacKay (1813-1859), first Piper to the Sovereign, appointed by Queen Victoria. Mackay, who is one of the most significant figures in the history of Scottish music, died after a long battle with physical and mental illness, though he left behind collections of pipe music still played today. This account of his life traces his long journey, from humble origins on the isle of Raasay to the height of fame in Her Majesty’ s service and beyond. His story is one that has long deserved to be told, and Iain MacDonald has obliged in style.

Iain MacDonald is from Saskatchewan, Canada and has lived there most of his life so far, with some years in Vancouver and Glasgow. He is descended from South Uist immigrants who arrived in Prince Edward Island in 1772.

A varied career has included work as an editor for an educational publishing firm, a freelance writer and editor, a communications director for an educational television company, and over 20 years running Avonlea Communications, producing websites, magazine and web advertising, brochures, annual reports and a wide variety of events. MacDonald teaches bagpipes through the Conservatory of Performing Arts, University of Regina.

A life-long piper, MacDonald has performed and competed, recorded and also has written many articles for piping magazines and websites over the years. In 2017, he was named by pipes|drums magazine to be among Canada’ s Top Fifteen Living Pipers and Drummers in a feature celebrating Canada’ s 150th anniversary.

His life-long interest in bagpipes and history, plus the acquisition of a very special artifact, led him to the story of Angus MacKay of Raasay.

I Piped, That She Might Dance is MacDonald’ s debut novel and the debut publication of Blackwater Press.