Bagpipes Challenged

[JS Sanders]

I would take far more into consideration the goomer who wrote this blurb in The Guardian, than Mr Cheape, a respected Gaelic historian and accomplished piper. I own more than one of his books, including The Book of the Bagpipe, where some of this article's information seems to be in conflict.

Since I've not read this latest publication, I can only presume the reporter twisted much in order to reach his desired result. Hard to believe, isn't it?

For a truly authoritative work on the pipes, try John C Gibson's Traditional Gaelic Bagpiping. Among other things, he provides evidence how the pipes were not proscribed post-Culloden as is so commonly believed. Yet another cherished belief...

Slainte yall,
steve

[Peter C.]

I played the pipes, as a boy soldier, in a British military pipe band 50yrs ago. We had old fashioned snare drums, sheepskin bags and cane reeds, and it sounded great.
I still prefer the old fashioned less sharp sound of the pipes.

I remember someone saying to me (back in my band days) that the Irish sent the pipes to Scotland as a joke, and the Scots haven't seen it yet.

Peter