Other pipers!

**beloitpiper** · 13th June 07, 12:47 PM

Not exactly "Off Topic" but also, not exactly "General Kilt Talk":

Yesterday, I was hired to play pipes for an Irish birthday. I wore a black shirt and hose, with green flashes, saffron kilt, and black balmoral with a claddagh badge. I played some tunes, and wished the elderly woman a happy birthday ("Breithlá shona duit" in the Irish), and as I was packing up and getting ready to leave, what do I hear but more pipes off in the distance! So I strike up again and start playing the UTS (Universal Tune Set [Scotland the Brave/Wings/Rowan Tree) and the pipe band that was practicing across the park starts playing along and marches over to me! It was so cool! It really proves the bond between pipers. And it really made the birthday party happy.

**cessna152towser** · 13th June 07, 01:36 PM

I'd generally agree with that. As one who dabbled with bagpipes but only ever got to the stage of a few simple tunes, mostly without the gracenotes, I was always encouraged to go along and practice with both of the local bands and I still feel that affinity when I meet up with any of our local pipers. Both of the bands support one another and other bands from neighbouring towns if they are short of numbers for an event and any rivalry between them is entirely friendly. The only qualification is that lone pipers can occasionally be notoriously territorial. When I worked in local government, I once arranged for a military piper who had connections with Jedburgh to turn up with the Councillors at the national border at Carter Bar to welcome a bus party from Malestroit, Jedburgh's twin town in Brittany. Later I got dog's abuse from another Jedburgh piper who regularly busked at Carter Bar because another piper had been asked to greet the French group at what he considered to be his spot.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 13th June 07, 02:47 PM

That is an AWESOME story. Love it.

**McMurdo** · 13th June 07, 02:55 PM

Great story, I bet the birthday was amazing after the march over, very

**oldsoldier** · 13th June 07, 05:24 PM

Man, I cant wait to finally get on the pipes. Excellent story...

**Kiltedfirepiper** · 15th June 07, 02:07 AM

Ive had that happen a time or two

I always called it the mating call :grin:
heck I met Vinnie because I was tuning up , and when I stopped he started playing....I popped my head out of my tent, and there he was grinning at me about 20' away! ....good times

always nice to meet someone with the same affliction....makes you feel better knowing your not the only one