The Penguin & The Piper...

[macwilkin]

Just found a humourous photo from the Antarctic expedition of Scottish explorer William S. Bruce on the BBC's web site. The explanation of the photo is as follows:

Penguin piper

A series of striking images remain from the voyage, including a classic photo of a piper in a kilt, apparently serenading a penguin on the ice.

"Bruce dressed up Gilbert Kerr, the ship's piper, in full Highland gear and got him out on the ice and produced a penguin," said David Munro.

"The idea was they were going to play it jigs, strathspeys, reels, slow marches, etc, and see if the penguin had any reaction.

"It stood unmoved. Of course, it's largely unmoved because it's tied to the foot of the piper."

Here is the full story, in case anyone is interested:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1972391.stm

Cheers!

T.

[Graham]

what a cruel thing to do to the penguin!! bet the poor thing went deaf after that, then couldn't hear a polar bear coming up behind him and got eaten!

[macwilkin]

I wonder if they took the Penguin to Burns Nicht -- he was certainly dressed for the occasion!

Sorry, couldn't resist...

Cheers!

T.

[Casey]

Wrong end of the world for polar bears, Graham.

I'm always glad to see the imagination that is put into scientific exploration and experimentation.

Casey

[macwilkin]

Bruce was quite the Scottish nationalist, evidently, Casey...there were at least two pipers (with other duties, of course) that went on the expedition, the expedition's flag was a Saltire, which flew along with the Union flag and the Lion Rampant.

See:
http://gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/scotia/vserm/index.html

For many great photos!

Cheers!

T.

[Casey]

Great site.

Love this stuff.

Thanks

Casey

[Freelander Sporrano]

I love this sort of thing too.

I laughed out load when I saw the foto. Pity there was no sound.

Cheers..............David

[David Woodington]

Has anyone considered that the penguin really liked the pipes.He probably was afraid to leave for fear he might miss some beautifull strathspey,Maybe the piper was playing Christmas Carousing.Its a well known fact it's a favorite of penguins.


Dave, a piper in MD

[Graham]

Wrong end of the world for polar bears, Graham.

I'm always glad to see the imagination that is put into scientific exploration and experimentation.

Casey

You're right, I should know that since I live near there.

OK replace polar bear with seal, seals hunt penguins.

[Vince]

David -

I think that we were spared the sound.