Piper James

Piper James

Amazed High school learners look on...

At the ladies’ Bible study group

Piper James drew a large crowd of young children in Lotusville

Outside the Aberdeen Heritage Tourism and Archive building, where he met with Dallis Graham

Aberdeen played host to a visitor with a difference last week. James McGowan, known to many as simply Piper James, has been on the road since 20^th August, when he set out from his home in Cape Town heading for Mooi River. He sets off walking from place to place, rucksack on his back, bagpipes over his shoulder and carrying a large wooden cross. If he is lucky enough to be offered a lift he willingly takes it, but can spend as long as twelve hours at a time walking!

Piper James is an evangelist, who does not preach, but bears witness through his music, and directs those seeking information to people who can help. He is very involved with the Mighty Men movement of Angus Buchan, and on his travels he encourages men he meets to attend a Mighty Men gathering. Currently he is promoting the Mooi River conference, which is to be held from 21^st – 23^rd October.

James is an ex British army piper, who after two years training on the bagpipes travelled the world with the Guards division. He has played at many royal occasions, including the weddings of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Andrew to Sarah Ferguson. After he left the army he spent several years with the British police, and met his Afrikaans wife Ina while she was working as a caregiver in England. He moved to South Africa, married Ina, and made a successful career as a piper at functions, entrancing guests with his full regalia.

The tartan that Piper James is wearing in the photographs was designed by his wife, and is the only Christian tartan registered in the world. Known as the Mighty Men tartan, the colours tell the story of the crucifixion of Christ. A six metre long prayer shawl in Mighty Men tartan was presented recently to Pieter de Villiers, and will be used by the Springbok rugby team for their pre-match prayers in the Rugby World Cup!

Whilst in Aberdeen, Piper James entertained people in various areas of the town, playing the bagpipes and chatting in his open friendly manner. He played for a group of young children in Bacon Street, Lotusville, and then prayed with them before getting the children and their parents to sign his cross. He then was taken by cllr Samantha Jankovich to Thembalesizwe, where he entertained a group of boys from Aberdeen Secondary – they were quite amazed to hear the bagpipes!

He also joined a ladies’ Bible study group on Wednesday morning, and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed his listening his rendition of Sarie Marais and Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. He told the ladies about his conversion to Christianity, and about his mission on behalf of the Mighty Men. All then signed his cross before sending him on his way to Graaff-Reinet.

James was very impressed with the friendliness of people in Aberdeen, and expressed his thanks to all who helped him. He was particularly grateful to Lan Meyers and Michael de Villiers of The Homestead guest house for accommodating him.