Stolen pipes

**Tartan Hiker** · 14th January 12, 08:05 PM

Pipers and prospective pipers, especially those in the Orlando FL area. Uncle Hamish and the Hooligans (screen name on XMTS "ThatCelticBand") had their band van broken into at the Central Florida Games early this morning. Much was stolen, including my son's (he's MadBagpiper here on XMTS) bagpipes. They are MacLelland pipes, with cocobolo pipes and bronze fittings. He has photos on his computer that I or he will post when he returns from Florida.

Please be on the lookout for these! He saved and scrimped for years, designed them himself, waited over a year for delivery. He's devastated at the loss. Insurance might be able to help, but...

Thanks friends.

Bill

**piperchris** · 14th January 12, 08:17 PM

I'm really sorry to hear about your & your son's loss. It really disillusions me about humanity when I hear about this kind of thing. Personally my feelings about people who steal bring to mind what they do in some Middle Eastern countries to them, such as cutting off their hands! I know how precious your son's pipes are to him. Please keep me posted. My best to both you & your son.

**Cygnus** · 14th January 12, 08:33 PM

I just checked eBay for any bagpipes matching that description that were listed today and didn't see any; though I'll keep checking back.

I sincerely hope you're able to track them down and get them back.

**highland mafia** · 14th January 12, 08:41 PM

Man... Im so sorry.. That said if they are are unique which from what you said I suspect they are.. They will be easy to identify. ln a way its a good thing they aren`t a set of maccallums or some somthing.. Good luck I hope to hell you get them back..

**ohiopiper** · 14th January 12, 09:25 PM

Make sure to post this over at http://forums.bobdunsire.com/forums/index.php

It's sort of like XMTS for pipers.

**Tartan Hiker** · 14th January 12, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by ohiopiper

Make sure to post this over at http://forums.bobdunsire.com/forums/index.php

It's sort of like XMTS for pipers.

Yes, as soon as he gets back we'll post there with some photos. Thanks.

**Tartan Hiker** · 14th January 12, 09:53 PM

My son just posted the following on his Facebook page:

So here's the status of todays events: 8 am--Discover broken window in the equipment van. Stickyfingers McDouchebag lifted three guitars, a bass, three pedal boards and all of my Bagpipe gear...
The rest of the day was ok, all things considered. The bands we were playing with immediately offered spare gear when they heard about the news. Major shout outs and so much love to Albannach's piper Donnie, the boys of Rathkeltair and The Wyndbreakers and to the beautiful people at the Central Florida Highland Games for stepping up and helping us when we were at our weakest.

This morning I felt like my best friend had died. I hope and pray that the police of Orlando assist us and what was taken from us returns and these scumbags are brought to justice without reprieve or mercy.

However, with the borrowed instruments and everything we had an incredible night and we felt truly loved today by those around us. I (and the rest of the band) cannot thank God enough for finding ourselves in the community that highland games offer. We sustained a major blow this morning...the monetary value is well over $12,000 but the personal investment and love of what we lost is incalculable. The most important thing though is that we have sustained and that we will carry on.
Again, thank you all so much for your prayers, concern, love and support. We truly love you all

He's a good kid. I'm so sorry that he had to have this lesson in the dark side of humanity.

**ANP3** · 14th January 12, 09:55 PM

Wow, I'm sorry to hear this. I'll keep an eye on the web for you.

**Father Bill** · 17th January 12, 06:09 AM

I'm still horrified and disgusted at this turn of events and wish you all good fortune in the safe return of your property.

**Mark R** · 17th January 12, 06:49 AM

Bill, Really sorry to read this news. Will also try to monitor ebay and the like to see if they show up. The local pawn shops are a likely source for them to try and get a return on the things taken. Would be good to contact someone who helped organize and run the event who is from the area to make a flyer to hand out to the local pawn shops. Networking is your best chance at this point IMO.

As someone who vends at many highland games and Celtic festivals, can tell you I have never had anything stolen from my vendor's tent or my vehicle. My wife and son play music and we often have some instruments with us. While it is a pain, we always carry them to our room as they mean too much as your son's pipes do to him. Hopefully this ends up well for you.

I do know others who have had similar experiences as your son. Without exception, the thefts have always occurred at the hotel parking lots. Have yet to hear about similar break-ins at a games or festival.

Have made it a habit to leave as little as possible in my vehicle in hotel lots. The cargo vans and box trucks are prime targets for this type of thief. They know when events are in town, the know where the participants are likely to stay, and they know what type of vehicles to look for.

A fellow vendor had his truck stolen from a hotel, in it almost 50K worth of leather goods and tools. Never recovered as they torched the truck. Thankfully insurance did cover most of the losses.