Scottish, resides in Pennsylvania. Started piping at the age of nine. Studied piobaireachd under P/M Iain Morrison 1980-88, and Captain Andrew Pitkeathly, 1988-94. Graduated Army School of Piping [Pipe Majors Course] in April 1986. Holds The Graduate Certificate from the Institute of Piping as well as The Senior Teaching Certificate. In 1986 he won every event that he entered at the Northern Meeting in Inverness. In 1989, won the Highland Society of London's Gold Medal at Oban. Won the Glenfiddich Piping Championship 1991. Won the Gold Clasp at the Northern Meeting in 1992. Has won 28 first prizes at Oban & Inverness. When the Queen's Own Highlanders and The Gordon Highlanders amalgamated to form The Highlanders, Alasdair Gillies became their first PM. Moved to the United States in June 1997, where he teaches at Carnegie Mellon University. Teaches at workshops and the Balmoral summer schools. Son of Norman Gillies, his first instructor.

Gillies, Alasdair Scotland 1963