R S MacDonald (Roddy), originally hails from the Scottish town of Inverness. His father is the renowned player, judge and composer of music, William MacDonald (Benbecula) and his grandfather, Donald MacDonald, was Pipe Major of the 1st Battalion the Highland Light Infantry.

Roddy’s music has been recorded by a variety of artists and bands, including The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, The Black Watch, The 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, The Scots Guards, Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, Shooglenifty, The Tannahill Weavers, MacUmba, Ceolbeg, Slainte Mhath, Martyn Bennett, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Gordon Duncan and many more.

He was originally taught by the late John Hunter, tutor with the Inverness Boys Brigade Pipe Band, an ex-Cameron Highlander and veteran of the Somme. After the Boys Brigade, Roddy played with the Inverness British Legion, Invergordon Distillers and British Caledonian Airways Pipe Bands. He also played for many years with the Balmoral Highlanders showband in London and toured extensively with them under the direction of his lifelong friend Pipe Major Willie Cochrane.

In 2001 Roddy left London after a 26 year stopover and currently resides in Australia  where he is employed Pipe Major of the Queensland Police Pipes & Drums. He has been composing music  for over 30 years and enjoys considerable international success with compositions ranging from Ceol Mor and Ceol Beag to salsa, techno funk(!) and anything else that sparks his musical genius. His passion for all types of music is reflected in his library collection which includes everything from piobaireachd to Pavarotti.

In 2001 Roddy was commissioned by the Piper and Drummer Magazine and GHB Communications of Toronto to compose a modern Piobaireachd. The piece was entitled Lament for Kenneth Alexander MacLennan of Connon Bridge and was published later that year.

Roddy is also looking forward to contributing to the NAPB and wishes Ian, Carl, Hugh and the rest of the team great success for the future.