Pipes in the air

[sailortats]

Had a really nice experience yesterday while working as a docent at the SF Maritime Park. A gentleman by the name of Sean Cummings was playing his GHB across the street from the entrance to the park. I was able to go over and listen to him play for a couple of tunes but it was even more enjoyable while working on the pier and hearing the pipes in the air. It was a beautiful but windy day and hearing the pipes made me wish I was in a kilt. I am not allowed to wear one while I am working on the pier much to my disgust.
Sean is from South Loch Tahoe (as he says on his business card) and plays with the Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band. I certainly hope he will be back in the city soon.I talked up xmarks with him and hopefully he may join us here,

[Jock Scot]

Thats how I prefer to hear a solo piper, plenty of distance between the piper and my ears. Yes, pipes on the wind describes my preference perfectly. On the other hand, a pipe band, drums and all, marching by, close too, suits my ears just fine.

[Richrail]

Cool, I know Sean and a few of the Sierra Highlanders. They a a great group of people.

[Duke of Delrio]

My father always thought pipes were like children and should be seen but not heard. We argued about other things too.

[MacKenzie]

Years ago, while The Redhead and I were on vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, we decided to take a midnight stroll on the beach. We heard a sound on the wind, then it was gone. After a bit we heard the sound again and realized it was pipes. Then we saw a light bobbing about in the distance. We stopped and listened. The piper and lantern bearer slowly drew near and passed. Gradually the sound of the pipes faded and finally was once again overcome by the wind and waves.

It was one of the most beautiful, yet eerie, things I have ever heard.

[Tobus]

Thats how I prefer to hear a solo piper, plenty of distance between the piper and my ears. Yes, pipes on the wind describes my preference perfectly.

Me too. While I do enjoy watching a piper (or even a pipe band) perform, there's something haunting about not seeing the piper, and just hearing it from a distance.

[WillowEstate]

I'm more a fan of the solo piper; the spectacle of a marching pipe band can't fail to impress but the volume is a tad high!

Many years ago, on holiday in Scotland, I was walking in Glen Coe, magnificent in itself, when I heard a solo piper playing a lament. In the misty September morning, it was a very moving experience. I headed off in the direction of the sound but he had gone before I located him.

[creagdhubh]

Thats how I prefer to hear a solo piper, plenty of distance between the piper and my ears. Yes, pipes on the wind describes my preference perfectly. On the other hand, a pipe band, drums and all, marching by, close too, suits my ears just fine.

My preference as well, Jock. Quite an evocative experience. Though, I can listen to Piobaireach'd all day long. ;)

[OC Richard]

Thats how I prefer to hear a solo piper, plenty of distance between the piper and my ears.

Yes indeed!

I pipe at funerals all the time and if piping at the grave I get there before everyone else, stand where everyone will be, look around to see where the best place for me to pipe will be. If there's a hillock or rise I'll get up on that. I never want to be too close.

The problem that arises is that I'm too far away to hear the Clergy speaking, and I have to depend on visual clues as to when the service is concluded (which is when they always want me to pipe). So in advance I'll arrange to have somebody give me a signal, if there's not going to be a clear visual clue (such as the Honour Guard begin to march away).

Once in a while a family will insist that I stand right there and blast everybody from short range. I don't like it.

The only time I've experienced the magic of this "lone piper" thing is at the Edinburgh Tattoo and it was indeed magical.

[BCAC]

I remember an evening long ago. I was a young soldier on a boat leaving Aberdeen for the overnight trip to Lerwick. Had a couple of fresh ones in the bar as the trip began in the early evening and, as time went on, I was beginning to find the bar a bit smoky (we were allowed to smoke in the bar at the time) so I decided to go "topside" for a breath of air. Imagine my surprise when I arrived on deck, with evening beginning to turn to night, Aderdeen in the distance (with a light fog laying in), and a solo piper playing on the back deck of the boat. I stayed and listened for quite some time. A wonderful moment and one that has stayed with me ever since.