Thanks for all the input.
I was interested in this because I love the music and think this would be a pretty cool way to get into it. I would like to learn the pipes as well, but honestly don't ever plan on being in a pipe band or anything like that. More of a personal thing. Plus I have a sax and this sort of looks like an extension of that type of playing, in a way.

I was thinking the hornpipe would be cool to learn and maybe sit in with some local bands or something at some point. Right now I'm working on learning some songs on my guitar for the same reason.