So you think you like the bagpipes?
Many fans of the Great Highland Bagpipe are familiar with that famous "Scottish Bagpipe Song", it speaks to their heart and stirs their soul, it rouses a sound of days gone by. Those days filled with war and patriotism, pride and honour. That being the case many don't actually know the name of said song, (preferably called a "tune" because of the lack of lyrics when typically performed).
Turns out Scotland the Brave is the most overplayed and cheesy song when it really gets down to it and you'll hear many a piper grumble in the middle of massed bands over having to play it for the 100th time this games season.
I am a bagpiper based out of Ontario, Canada. I have a strong Scottish heritage, which I do take pride in. However, I'd like to think that I get past the stereotypes of red haired, Claymore wielding, pictish face painting, haggis gnawing Scots. (Haggis is truly marvelous and everyone should try it. I'll post more on Scottish cuisine later.)
There is a more of a contemporary scene, particularly in Canada, that many are unaware of. The Scots were always seen as entrepreneurs, (Sir John A. MacDonald immediately comes to mind and, you know, Canada), and they managed to take advantage of their culture use it to sell $10 beers and $20 worth of deep fried haggis, pocket it, and call it a day.
Which leads us the the almighty highland games or as we refer to in the pipe band world, "every bloody weekend". We miss important life events like family BBQs, cleaning our home, basic meals, and often births and deaths, all for the love of the games. However, buried in the mystique, are some of the finest bagpipe musicians to walk this earth. Those who say they don't like bagpipes obviously haven't heard good ones, ever.
Unfortunately its far too common for your regular Ross (from Friends, see the bagpipe and many associate this with the bagpipes. Such as shame! There is beauty to be had if you know where to look so I suggest instead of your drunk neighbour next door wail on his pipes, take in a Scottish Cultural Festival or a Highland Games, go look at the different bands; check out Grade 1 but also don't forget to support the lower level bands, they need lovin' too. You might end up splurging on a set of $1500 bagpipes and searching the yellow pages for someone to teach you. Trust me, it's worth it.
#bagpipes #highlandgames #canada #pipeband
