He was born in Aberdeen on 11 March 1934, and first learned to play the practice chanter at the age of four from his father John, who was also a piper.
[2] In 1950 he became the youngest ever winner of the gold medals for piobaireachd at both the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban and the Northern Meeting in Inverness, at the age of 16.
[4] Burgess was persuaded by Brigadier Alistair MacLean at the Castle to join the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders as a piper, and spent three years there, reaching the rank of corporal.
[1][6] Burgess became a teacher and judge after retiring from competitive playing in around 1979, teaching in schools around Easter Ross.
[9][10] His track The Wandering Piper as was included by Topic Records in their 70th anniversary album Three Score and Ten.