Yesterday, I was completely honoured to pipe at the funeral and attend the most beautiful humanist ceremony to celebrate the life of my dear friend, Willie Haines, arranged by Willie's amazing wife
Adele Gregory. It was all just so perfect for Willie.

I have known Willie for 30 years - a witty, extremely knowledgeable, intelligent and very kind man as well as a fabulous musician and composer. I always enjoyed every minute being entertained in Willie's company.

Willie used to sit at the back of the bus when going to competitions with my pipe band, Scottish Gas Caledonian, in the early nineties - we always had lots of laughs!

In 2004, Willie accompanied my band, Cantara' to Italy as our "Manager/Promoter/CD Salesman" when we performed at Celtica, Italy's largest folk festival. We all had such a fabulous time.
Hazel Morrison
Mike Cameron
Beth Morrison

I used to also often pop into Willie's music shop, Blackfriars Music, which specialised in everything to do with folk music and was a famous hub and meeting place for folk musicians, just off the Royal Mile.

I often enjoyed sitting in Willie's amazing company for hours in Edinburgh's Hebrides Bar and Captains Bar over the years - we were normally the last ones to leave!

In fact in 2011, I launched Willie and
Neil Palmer 's fabulous 'Edinburgh's Festival of Ireland' with Adele,
Isa Creme and friends/musicians in the brilliant Captain's Bar.

In November, Adele contacted me to say that Willie unfortunately had just moved into St Columbus Hospice here in Edinburgh as the cancer had sadly returned. Adele said that "You piping for him was the very first thing Willie said when asked what he wanted for his funeral".

How completely honoured I felt. I said to Adele, well how about I go and play for Willie the following day at the Hospice, as I know how much Willie loved the pipes. Willie and Adele loved the idea.

As I played in front of the hospice the following day for Willie, residents and the fabulous care staff, Willie listened and watched on smiling through the window. Then, to my surprise, Willie suddenly produced his concertina on his lap! He said, he would like to play a wee tune for me too that he had composed.

I was in complete awe as I listened and watched Willie play "Alba Mo Chridhe" or "Scotland my Heart". So beautiful. I recorded this wonderful piece of music on my pipes the following day up Calton Hill and sent the recording to Willie as he had never ever heard it played on the pipes. He loved it.

Yesterday, I was so proud to play....

Scotland the Brave
Caledonia
Freedom Come All Ye
The Dark Island
The Flower of Scotland

And, finally...

Willie's "Alba Mo Chridhe" ...

as family and friends left the chapel and as I slow marched into the distance. I will never forget this - it was so extremely special.

After the funeral, I stopped at Portobello Beach to record a wee tune for Willie. Willie loved Porty and I have very fond memories of playing on Portobello Promemade at Willie and Neil's "Edinburgh's Festival of Ireland" a decade ago.

Thinking of Adele and all family and friends at this difficult time .

Here is "Alba Mo Chridhe".
Sleep tight Willie my friend x