A native of Campbeltown, Kintyre, Willie has won almost every prize in solo piping and several times over.

He received his main tuition from his uncles Ronald McCallum and Hugh A. McCallum and also came under the guidance of Ronald McCallum, MBE, Piper to The Duke of Argyll. Willie's development as a youngster included not only these formal family influences, but the less tangible, equally important impressions made by countless visits to the Kintyre Piping Society. Here he heard all the experts of the era, including legends such as Donald MacLeod, Donald MacPherson and John Burgess.

Willie is in demand as a recitalist, adjudicator and teacher and has five solo recordings to his credit, in addition to his appearance on a number of compilation albums recorded live at recitals and competitions.

In recent years, several of his students have gained high placings at the major piping gatherings at Oban, Inverness and London.

He also has long and successful pipe band experience and was a member of the Scottish Power Pipe Band winning 3 major championships.

His list of achievements in the competitive field is extensive and include the following highlights:

• Glenfiddich World Championship 8 times
• Gold Medal, Northern Meeting, Inverness
• Gold Medal, Argyllshire Gathering, Oban
• Former Winners MSR, Northern Meeting, Inverness 3 times
• Former Winners MSR, Argyllshire Gathering, Oban 5 times
• The Bratach Gorm, London, 3 times
• The Silver Chanter, Dunvegan, 3 times
• Donald Macleod Memorial, Stornoway, 7 times
• Dr Dan Reid Memorial, San Francisco, 7 times
• The Cowal Championship (with ScottishPower)
• Scottish Pipe Band Championship (with ScottishPower) twice
• Runner-up World Pipe band Championship (with ScottishPower) twice