In recognition of his work for furthering Scots singing, Duncan was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
[1] In 2000, Duncan was given a Herald Angel award from the Edinburgh Festival for his long work with ballad singing.
Duncan left school at 14 years old to work on the farm as an orra loon or apprentice.
[7] Duncan joined the Royal Air Force when he turned 18 in 1943, spending two years in France during World War II.
[3][4] In 1960, Duncan featured on the Grampian TV programme Bothy Nichts, as a member of the Fyvie Loons and Quines.