Pipe Major Charles Mackay O’Brien

 

Piping tutor Charlie O’Brien lived in Strathnaver and for numerous years taught pupils from all over the north coast, introducing a much welcomed boost to piping in the area.  Charlie was born in Inchkinloch, Tongue, in 1920.  His first job was as kennel boy in Borroboll.  There Bob Mackay, a brother of Johnny Mackay, Trantlebeg, started him on the chanter.  Colin MacDonald, whom he was sharing a bothy with, gave him a Lawrie chanter.  Charlie served in the 5th Seaforths during the war and before he was demobbed he became Pipe Major.  He kept up his passion for piping when he returned home by competing in the Highland Games and helped structure the new Thurso Pipe Band.  Later years saw his involvement in forming the Bettyhill and District Pipe Band.  He was the schools’ piping tutor in the north for several years.

 

 

Pipers whom Charlie instructed in current years were Kenny Mackay and Allan MacDonald, Altnaharra; brothers Richard and Allan Wilson, Strathnaver; Shirley Mackay, Melness; Yvonne Mackenzie and Shona Munro, Bettyhill, and sisters Valerie-Joan and Carol-Anne Mackay, Strathy. 

 

All these pupils did well in junior and senior competing and were certainly a credit to Charlie.  Carol-Anne still participates in competing and has an encouraging number of pupils where she is piping instructor in Ullapool and district.  Carol- Anne is also piper and accordionist in up-and-coming, all female band, Dochas. T he girls’ repertoire consists of a wide variety of traditional songs and tunes with a very uplifting feel to them.  They have traveled all over Britain and abroad, keeping alive the spirit of traditional music with a contemporary style. 

 

For his dedication to piping in the north Charlie was granted the BEM in 1992.  A function was held in Melvich Hotel attended by his family, friends and pupils, past and present.