Red Hot Chilli Pipers founder tells how he had stroke at son's birthday party

Bagpiper Stuart Cassells, who launched the band 23 years ago, took ill at the party in November 2022.

Doctors discovered his stroke was caused by a bicuspid heart valve, which means his heart only had two flaps rather than three, while a build-up of plaque broke off and caused the clot in his brain.

As well as having stroke treatment including thrombolysis to dissolve the clot at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, Mr Cassells, who has two children now aged 11 and five, had open heart surgery to correct the faulty valve.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, which in 2004 appeared on the main stage at T in the Park with The Darkness and featured on the soundtrack of How to Train Your Dragon 2, became popular internationally in 2007 after winning the BBC talent show When Will I Be Famous.

Mr Cassells said: “The shock and trauma of having a stroke at 43 was devastating to me and my family. I thought strokes only happened to older people, but I was proved wrong.

“I had never previously had a day off sick but I found myself in hospital for months contemplating what I could do to make sure I never had another stroke.”

Initially, his speech was badly affected – a common stroke impact called aphasia, affecting one in three stroke survivors. However, he worked hard on his recovery, undertaking a strict diet and exercise regime in a bid to regain his health.

However, this year, he found out he had a genetic condition that predisposes him to both stroke and dementia.

He said: “The stroke gave me a shocking jolt and I spent the next year focusing on my health and wellbeing, eating healthy meals and hitting 12,000 steps a day with the help of a personal trainer.

“Since then, it has been more of a psychological and emotional rollercoaster. This year, I discovered that I have a hereditary genetic condition called CADASIL that makes me more likely to have further strokes and prone to dementia.

“That’s a different kind of shock where you are considering an uncertain future, no matter how hard you try to avoid it.”

This June, Stuart took redundancy from the Edrington Group and set up a consultancy to promote Scotland’s luxury hospitality and cultural experiences.

This year’s Stroke Association’s Christmas campaign revealed a survey of 1,000 stroke survivors found that two thirds are frustrated at not being able to do things at Christmas that they could before they had a stroke, including wrapping presents and cooking Christmas dinner.

The charity has also produced a film featuring Scotish actor Brian Cox, Alison Steadman, Nadia Sawalha and others, which shows some of those struggles across a range of ages, from young children to grandparents, ending with an appeal to give the gift of stroke support at Christmas.

Mr Cassells said: “I’ve learned so much about stroke since having mine and firmly believe that knowledge is power. There are so many ways you can reduce your risk of stroke, from stopping smoking and eating healthier to exercising more. Studies have shown that even walking a mile a day can dramatically improve your health.

“And for those who have had a stroke, the Stroke Association is invaluable. The charity’s website has as a whole host of information and resources, including on communication difficulties and ways to find peer support groups.”

John Watson, associate director for the Stroke Association in Scotland, said: “A stroke can have physical and psychological impacts, as well as emotional ones, with survivors facing a long journey to relearn lost skills and adapt to new circumstances.

“But, with strength, determination and the right support, recovery is possible. That’s why we’ve created our powerful new film, to highlight the devastation stroke can cause, and to remind people we are here for them.”