Born in 1845 in Laurencekirk. He served as pipe major of the Aberdeen Highlanders about 1865-1879.

He then emigrated to South Africa. He was Pipe Major of the Port Elizabeth Pipe Band and was several times mayor of Port Elizabeth. He had a great influence on piping in South Africa and died there in 1921.

His composing claim to fame is “Glendaruel Highlanders,” which he composed when he was pipe major of the Aberdeen Volunteers.