It is an undisputed scientific fact that nothing looms larger in importance to the heart and mind of a seven year old boy than the family cookie tin. Fifty years ago when I was that boy, in a very Scottish-Canadian family our cookie tin featured the image of a very noble looking piper in full regalia. I can clearly remember asking my mother for something from piper tin and she telling me "that he was not just any piper, he is the Queen's piper".

Fast forward about 30 years (20 years ago) and my father has died. One of my tasks was to go through his workshop and decide what tools and supplies I wanted. In doing so I found the Piper Cookie Tin full of old bolts, hinges and parts. Of course I could not throw it away so I added it to my workshop where it served the same purpose for many years. A few years ago the hinges and the bottom of the tin gave out and I tossed them but somehow I could not bring myself to get rid of the decorated lid. I tucked it up behind a beam above my work bench. Today in preparation of a move of my own I found it again and it brought back a flood of old memories.

I looked at this image which has been part of my life for over 50 years and wondered, who was this fine man? Was he really the Queen's piper? I realize that probably a few clicks of my Google finger could solve this question but I decided I would rather share the story with the rabble and see if any of you could shed light on who this chap was. I know many on this forum are experts on the piping tradition and may enjoy the story of a small Canadian boy and his cookie tin.

Image below: