Tributes to well-known Pipe Major John ‘Jock’ Cameron (85), of MacRae Avenue in Nairn, took ill on Christmas Day and died in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on December 30
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Tributes have been paid to a man who gave a lifetime of service to Nairn Pipe Band.
John ‘Jock’ Cameron (85), of MacRae Avenue in Nairn, took ill on Christmas Day and died in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on December 30.
He had been a stalwart member of the band for 65 years and was a familiar figure to many after leading it for decades as Pipe Major.
His wife Betty died suddenly just weeks before.
Mr Cameron performed his last duties as Pipe Major in 2016, leading the parade of massed bands to the Nairn Highland Games.
Former Drum Major, John ‘The Prof’ Matheson, told the Courier he would be sorely missed.
“He was a true gentleman and a stalwart of the band,” he said.
“There were tears in his eyes as he marched down to the links for his last parade at the Nairn Games. It was very emotional for Jock and his fellow band members.
“He was always happy to pass on his experience to young pipers at band practice in the British Legion and his passing is a loss to the community, not just the band.
“Late in life he was taking lessons to learn and play the fiddle and he was very active until quite recently.”
Also a lifelong fan of Nairn County FC, Mr Cameron was a regular on the terraces at Station Park until Covid struck.
He originally trained as a mechanic at MacRae and Dick’s garage in King Street, Nairn, but met his wife when they worked together at the North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board creamery.
He later began a new career at McDermotts oil platform construction yard, where he worked in security, at the pipemill and repairing vehicles.
He is survived by his son Richard, in Nairn, and daughters Brenda and Jayne, who live in Aberdeen.
He also had four grandchildren.
Richard said: “He learned to play the pipes in the Boys’ Brigade when he was 12 and was the youngest member of the Nairn Pipe Band when he joined aged 15. Piping was his life and he loved his football and Nairn County.”
Band members played at his funeral service and internment at Nairn cemetery.
