Quote Originally Posted by Swampthing View Post
Quote Originally Posted by wvpiper View Post
That bagpipes were banned and players faced the penalty of death by the Act of Proscription.
Actually, that is true.
As a piper, I feel it necessary to try to quash this particular myth. It's been perpetuated long enough! The Act of Proscription (1746) and its extension in 1747 do NOT ban bagpipes! I've read the whole thing here.

In summary, the Act of 1746 is a reinstatement of the Act of 1716 which expired in 1723, with regard to the weapons used by the rebels in the Highland districts. In addition, it bans the wearing of "Highland dress" (i.e. tartan), requires the educational establishment (public and private) to take an oath in support of the king and his heirs and be registered by the government, and it indemnifies anyone who supported the Crown during the Scottish rebellion.

A good explanation of the likely source of this myth can be found here. Basically, a rebel piper was arrested in England and hanged for treason, not for playing the pipes. In the opinion of the court in that town, "a Highland Regiment never marched without a piper; and therefore his bagpipe in the eyes of the law, was an instrument of war".

Rant over.

Now, as to the interest in clans, etc. that Phil questions, I think that can be attributed partly to the relative lack of history here in the States & elsewhere (less than300 years, generally speaking), and a desire to 'belong' to something that you have in common with others. Often, the connection to the community can be tenuous, especially in today's fairly mobile society. Having 'roots' in a clan 'society' can help assuage that feeling of a lack of history/community. It gives a person something that doesn't change from place to place. That's my guess, anyway.

No myths I've heard that haven't already been discussed.