Piper leads the way at Ballesteros' funeral

[Phil]

I thought this was a fitting tribute to the late Seve Ballesteros - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/pic...-respects.html - a great golfer and man.

[English Bloke]

I saw that as it flashed by on the news yesterday. I wondered what the connection was and throught, presumably it's a St Andrews thing? (as in the golf course). He did sound the business though.

[Jock Scot]

It was quite some send off for a highly respected, brave and obviously well loved man.

[Jimmy]

I agree, I think its the St.Andrews connection
Seve lit up the world of golf, tremendous talent, he pioneered the way for all the great Europeans after him - Faldo, Woosnam, Langer etc

[Chas]

Scottish piper John Stewart, a groundsman from the Real Sociedad football club in SanSebastion, led the cortege from Seve's home on the 10 minute walk down to the church. Behind him, as he played 'When the battle is over', came the Ballesteros family.

Regards

Chas

[Galician]

I haven't been able to develop any clear connection of the Ballestros family to Celtic culture, but clearly the family had to approve the piper for the cortege. My curiousity was peaked, due to this region's proximity to Galicia. According to Wikepedia, it appears that the name of the province where Seve lived, Cantabria, is of Celtic origin.

So a piper was totally appropriate to his send off.

May he rest in peace and his family find comfort in the outpouring of affection in Spain and the sports world.

P.S. Anyone know what tartan the piper was wearing?

[Seumas52]

P.S. Anyone know what tartan the piper was wearing?[/QUOTE]


Blue Ramsay tartan

[Jock Scot]

In the end it only matters to the deceased and or his family why a piper was there. It is obviously what was wanted and that is that.

However in my ignorance, I made the rather simple connection of golf being a Scottish game and he was a skilled golfer. Maybe he liked pipe music? I have no idea.

[Galician]

I agree absolutely that the family's wishes are paramount, as I thought I had indicated.

I was curious about the Scottish piper because Galicia and Asturias, which neighbor Cantabria, do have their own ancient tradition of pipes as part of their Celtic heritage. I didn't know about Cantabria itself.

Perhaps this was a part of why the family had the piper. Perhaps it was just the human gesture of honor he offered by his service. It is all good.

[Jock Scot]

Galician.

Indeed you did say so and I was only agreeing with you. I am sorry if you took my words as a criticism, such was not my intention.