About Ian

Ian Kinnear
Click here to read an academic paper by Ken MacIntyre about Ian

Ian lives and works in Edzell, Angus (halfway between Aberdeen and Dundee on the east coast of Scotland).

He began playing pipes at the age of 10, when he was taught by John McDougall and David Taylor. Whilst studying geography at Edinburgh University he continued playing pipes with Scottish Gas pipe band and Edinburgh University OTC pipe band. During this time he also tutored at the University Bagpipe Society and the innovative Adult Learning Project in Edinburgh.

Ian played on the album “Out of the Blue” recorded by Scottish Gas Pipe Band in 1993. Click below the photo to hear a soundbite from the album.

[audio:https://www.scottishsmallpipes.com/audio/scottish_gas.mp3]
Ian began making Scottish Smallpipes in Edinburgh in 1993. Piping has taken him to many parts of the world where he has given solo performances and played as a member of pipebands, and smallpipes and folk ensembles (Brittany, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Ireland and USA). He has also been privileged to judge piping in Brittany.
 
 
Ian enjoyed playing with Bagad Avel Su at the Eurocelts Festival in Strasbourg in 2008 and will return to play with them again in May 2010. He was invited to play with them having been engaged by the Bagad to teach at their annual Toulon “stage” (music course) and perform at their concert in 2007.

Click on the links to view the “YouTube” clips of Ian playing highland pipes with the band in Strasbourg 2008 and Ian performing on smallpipes at a concert in Toulon in 2007.

 
As business increased, so spare time decreased. He finished his competitive playing with Lothian and Borders Police pipe band in order to keep up with demands of work. The move from Edinburgh to rural Angus was a result of having 2 children and the good fortune to have a career that allowed the move! He still plays regularly (Highland pipes less frequently than Smallpipes). There is a healthy traditional music session culture in Angus – Ian can be heard regularly at these sessions and also plays with a folk band. As well as making and playing Ian enjoys teaching. Information about this can be found on the Courses page of this website.

Please click play below the photo of Ian with Brian and Mike McKay, otherwise known as “Haenahooley” to hear a soundbite of them playing a set of tunes on smallpipes, banjo, guitar and fiddle. The first tune was composed by Ian in 2009, and is named after a particularly beautiful place known locally as “Rocks of Solitude”. At some point he will put this tune and its music on the Tune of the Month page – remember to check the archive on that page in case it is there already!

Ian with Brian and Mike McKay
[audio:https://www.scottishsmallpipes.com/audio/rocks_of_solitude.mp3]
 
Please click play below the photo of Fon A’bhord (below) to hear a soundbite of some tunes recorded by the band a few years ago.
 
Fon A’bhord
[audio:https://www.scottishsmallpipes.com/audio/fon_a_bhord.mp3]
 
Ian enjoys a hectic life of making and playing pipes combined with family life!