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It’s interesting to learn that until 1996 the bagpipes were classified as a weapon of war. This does not simply mean an instrument played in battle, or a tool used to direct troops, it actually means a physical weapon, like a sword or a musket. The origins of this take us all the way back to the Battle of Culloden and a piper named James Reid.
James Reid was one of several pipers who played at the Battle of Culloden. He was captured along with 558 men by Cumberland’s troops and taken to England. There James was put on trial and accused of high treason against the English Crown. Piper Reid claimed that he was innocent because he did not have a gun or a sword. He said that the only thing he did that day on the battlefield was play the bagpipe.
After some deliberation the judges had a different opinion on the matter. They said that a highland regiment never marched to war without a piper at its head. Therefore, in the eyes of the law, the bagpipe was an instrument of war. James Reid was condemned and subsequently hanged then drawn and quartered.
The decision of those judges has echoed down through the generations. It was the first recorded occasion that a musical instrument was officially declared a weapon of war. For hundreds of years and many conflicts to come the bagpipes, when listed among the items captured in combat, was counted among rifles, sabers, and munitions. It is interesting to note that bugles and drums were recorded as musical instruments, where the bagpipe ranked among the lists of weapons. This continued through the Great War. Perhaps a fitting place for the pipes, but a tragic legacy for the piper James Reid who played at the last bloody battle of the Jacobites on Culloden Moor.
In 1996, after some disputes with authorities, a man known as Mr Brooks was taken to court for playing the pipes on Hamstead Heath, an act forbidden under a Victorian by-law stating the playing of any musical instrument is banned. Mr Brooks plead not guilty by, claiming the pipes are not a musical instrument, but instead a weapon of war , citing the case of James Reid as a precedent. The unanimous verdict was that the pipes are first and foremost musical instruments returning them from a weapon of war to their rightful place as a musical instrument.
Famous Pipers
Bill Millin
William “Bill” Millin, commonly known as Piper Bill, was the personal piper to Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, commander of 1st Special Service Brigade. Millin is best remembered for playing the pipes whilst under fire during the D-Day landing in Normandy.
Millin was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada on 14 July 1922. His father, who was a native Scot, moved the family back to Glasgow when he was three. He joined the Territorial Army in Fort William and played in the pipe bands of the Highland Light Infantry and the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders before volunteering as a commando and training with Lovat at Achnacarry, near Fort William in Scotland. Lovat had appointed Millin as his personal piper during this commando training.
Pipers have traditionally been used in battle by Scottish and Irish soldiers. However, the use of bagpipes was restricted to rear areas by the time of the Second World War by the British Army. Lovat, nevertheless, ignored these orders when making their landing at Sword Beach on D-day and ordered Millin, then aged 21, to play. When Private Millin demurred, citing the regulations, he recalled later, Lord Lovat replied: “Ah, but that’s the English War Office. You and I are both Scottish, and that doesn’t apply.” He played “Hielan’ Laddie” and “The Road to the Isles” as his comrades fell around him on Sword Beach.
Millin was the only man during the landing who wore a kilt, the same Cameron tartan kilt his father had worn in Flanders during World War I, and he was armed only with his pipes and the sgian-dubh, sheathed inside his kilt-hose on the right side. In keeping with Scottish tradition, he wore no underwear beneath the kilt. He later told author Peter Caddick-Adams that the coldness of the water took his breath away. Millin states that he later talked to captured German snipers who claimed they did not shoot at him because they thought he was crazy.
Lovat and Millin advanced from Sword Beach to Pegasus Bridge, which had been defiantly defended by men of the 2nd Bn the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry (6th Airborne Division) who had landed in the early hours by glider. To the sound of Millin’s bagpipes, the commandos marched across Pegasus Bridge. During the march, twelve men died, most shot through their berets. Later detachments of the commandos rushed across in small groups with helmets on. Millin’s D-Day bagpipes were later donated to the now Pegasus Bridge Museum.
Millin saw further action with the 1st SSB in the Netherlands and Germany before being demobbed (demobilised) in 1946 and going to work on Lord Lovat’s highland estate. In the 1950s he became a registered psychiatric nurse in Glasgow, moving south to a hospital in Devon in the late ’60s until he retired in the Devon town of Dawlish in 1988. He made regular trips back to Normandy for commemoration ceremonies. France awarded him a Croix d’Honneur award for gallantry in June 2009.
Millin, who suffered a stroke in 2003, died in hospital in Torbay on 17 August 2010, aged 88. His wife Margaret, from Edinburgh, died in 2000. He was survived by their son John.
With the help of son John Millin and the Dawlish Royal British Legion, a bronze life-size statue of Piper Bill Millin was unveiled on 8 June 2013 at Colleville-Montgomery, near Sword Beach, in France, which can be seen on the left.
Did you know?
Bagpipes were commonly used during World War I to lead the men ‘over the top’ of the trenches and into battle. However, unarmed and drawing attention to themselves with their playing, pipers were always an easy target for the enemy. The death rate amongst pipers was extremely high: it is estimated that around 1000 pipers died in World War One.
Piper Daniel Laidlaw 
Born at Little Swinton, Berwickshire on 26 July 1875, Laidlaw joined the Army in 1896. He served with the Durham Light Infantry in India where he received a certificate for his work during a plague outbreak in Bombay in 1898. In the latter year he was claimed out by his elder brother and transferred as a piper to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, in 1912 he transferred to the reserve. In 1915 Laidlaw re-enlisted in The King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
On September 25th 1915 the company were preparing to ‘go over the top’. Under heavy fire and suffering from a gas attack, the company’s morale was at rock bottom. The commanding officer ordered Laidlaw to start playing, to pull the shaken men together ready for the assault.
Immediately the piper mounted the parapet and began marching up and down the length of the trench. Oblivious to the danger, he played, “All the Blue Bonnets Over the Border.” The effect on the men was almost instant and they swarmed over the top into battle. Laidlaw continued piping until he got near the German lines when he was wounded. As well as being awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, Laidlaw also received the French Criox de Guerre in recognition of his bravery.
Did you know?
The original purpose of the pipes in battle was to signal tactical movements to the troops, in the same way as a bugle was used in the cavalry to relay orders from officers to soldiers during battle.
Fighting Jack Churchill 
Fighting Jack Churchill or Mad Jack, was a British soldier who fought throughout the Second World War armed with a longbow, bagpipes, and a basket-hilted Scottish broadsword (sometimes incorrectly called a Claymore). He is known for the motto “any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed.”
Churchill was born in Ceylon, Sri Lanka but soon after Churchill’s birth, the family returned to Surrey, England. John ‘Jack’ Churchill was educated at King William’s College on the Isle of Man. Churchill graduated from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in 1926 and served in Burma with the Manchester Regiment. He left the Military in 1936 only to re-enlist when Germany invaded Poland in 1939.
Churchill had an extensive list of herioc and ‘mad’ exploits throughout his life, so let’s take a look at a few of what can be described as the most epic.
As part of the British Expeditionary Force to France, in May 1940 Churchill and his unit, the Manchester Regiment, ambushed a German patrol near L’Épinette, France. Churchill gave the signal to attack by cutting down the enemy Feldwebel (sergeant) with a barbed arrow, becoming the only British soldier known to have felled an enemy with a longbow in WWII.
Jack Churchill was second in command of No. 3 Commando in Operation Archery, a raid on the German garrison at Vågsøy, Norway on 27 December 1941. As the ramps fell on the first landing craft, Churchill leapt forward from his position playing “March of the Cameron Men” on his bagpipes, before throwing a grenade and running into battle in the bay. For his actions at Dunkirk and Vågsøy, Churchill received the Military Cross and Bar.
In 1944 he led the Commandos in Yugoslavia, where they supported Josip Broz Tito’s Partisans from the Adriatic island of Vis. In May he was ordered to raid the German held island of Brač. The landing was unopposed but on seeing the eyries from which they later encountered German fire, the Partisans decided to defer the attack until the following day. Churchill’s bagpipes signalled the remaining Commandos to battle. After being strafed by an RAF Spitfire, Churchill decided to withdraw for the night and to re-launch the attack the next day.
The following morning, one flanking attack was launched by 43 Commando with Churchill leading the elements from 40 Commando. The Partisans remained at the landing area; only Churchill and six others managed to reach the objective. A mortar shell killed or wounded everyone but Churchill, who was playing “Will Ye No Come Back Again?” on his pipes as the Germans advanced. He was knocked unconscious by grenades and captured.
He was flown to Berlin for interrogation and then transferred to Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Churchill tunnelled out of the camp with an RAF officer, but was recaptured and transferred to a PoW camp in Austria. When the floodlights failed one night he escaped and, living on stolen vegetables, walked across the Alps near the Brenner Pass. He then made contact with an American reconnaissance column in the Po Valley.
Churchill had always wanted to serve with a Scottish regiment, and so transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders, becoming a company commander where he remained until he retired in 1959.
Bagpipe Products from ScotClans…
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Eugene the Piper plays ‘Bonnie Galloway’ during protests in Kiev
As violence and unrest continues to engulf Kiev, footage emerged last week of a brave bagpiper playing ‘Bonnie Galloway’ as bullets hurtled past. Known simply as Eugene, the Ukrainian piper gave a rendition of the famous Scots tune despite having being shot in the ear with a rubber bullet.
The self taught piper told the Daily Record he was inspired to play during the protests by Scottish pipers who marched with soldiers at war. He said his experience had made it possible for him to imagine what pipers felt during battles, stating he played to support the protestors fighting to remain independent of Russia.
“When musicians play during a riot, it means the people involved are not terrorists or extremists. It means they are normal people fighting for their rights and their state. I was emotional given what was happening around me.”
After being hit, Eugene only stopped playing the pipes due to the plunging temperatures. He described how police fired plastic pellets during the protests at the spot where he was standing with journalists, saying: “Fragments hit my hands and face but I was fortunate they did not hit my eyes.”
Eugene said he believes music is very important when people are fighting for their future. “It does not matter even what instrument you play but, oddly enough, the great Scottish bagpipes fit very well into this role. In most cases I played Ukrainian folk tunes and people reacted positively. People thanked me and asked me to play more as the bagpipes gave them moral support.”
Eugene has been playing for five years and has performed at Scottish-themed weddings and functions in Ukraine. Despite his passion for piping, Eugene has never been to Scotland. He said: “I would like to see real teachers of piping so I can learn properly.”
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]]>This isn’t the first time a Santa has appeared playing the pipes – last Christmas in Portland, Oregon a kilted Santa playing the bagpipes and riding a unicycle was spotted on a number of occasions on the city’s streets. Unfortunately there have been no confirmed sightings of the bearded piper this year.
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The Pyramid of Khafre, Giza Necropolis, Cairo
It seems wherever you travel around the globe, you can’t miss signs of Scottish influence. From bagpipes being played in far off antipodean lands to Ceilidhs taking place in South America, the Scots have sure spread themselves far and wide. I recently traveled through Egypt, eyes peeled for any evidence of these great wanderers.
Today Egypt is sadly far down the list of travel destinations for holiday makers. The most recent revolution earlier this year (or coup, depending on who you’re speaking with), follows three years of life-changing political change that has turned the majority of travelers off the region, as the country remains stuck in a kind of political purgatory. I was a little nervous about visiting Egypt, but after conducting a large amount of research online, we discovered the situation on the ground was a lot calmer than what is shown on the evening news.
Revolution Graffiti, Luxor
The signs of revolution in Egypt are evident – curfews are still in place, political graffiti adorns city walls, and tanks and soldiers patrol the streets (mainly to keep the few visitors that are still visiting safe). But I have never been more blissfully overwhelmed in my life than when I first set eyes on the grandeur that is the Great Pyramids of Giza. I’ll also never forget my afternoon spent floating on a Felucca down the incredibly tranquil and soothing Nile. And just as in Scotland, every corner you turn you’ll find another historical gem sitting as it has for thousands of years, patiently awaiting you – from Mosques, Coptic Churches and the odd Synagogue, to the thousands of temples and monuments from ancient times.
So what are the ties between Egypt and Scotland? Well, it turns out they both wear.. kilts! Look at any statue of the great Pharaohs that adorn temples, and you’ll notice these titans of ancient times are wearing what my fantastic guide Mustafa refereed to as the ‘Royal Kilt’. My ears pricked up when he said this – as I had been searching far and wide for some way to tie the two countries together. Known also as the Shendyt, this kilt (generally made of linen) was the basic form of dress for Egyptian men of all social classes for thousands of years. And just like Scottish kilts, the Egyptian version is also pleated in the back.
Ramses II wearing the Royal Kilt, Ancient City of Memphis
The Shendyt is probably an adaptation of early hunting skirts which allowed freedom of movement for the wearer. Members of the military wore a version of the Shendyt, as they too would need freedom of movement for battle. A man’s status was also confirmed by how elaborate his kilt was, and how fine the linen used to make it. The kilts of the rich nobles and Pharaohs were often very intricately pleated, and must have been difficult to care for. By the Middle Kingdom, mens kilts had become longer and more complex and ornamental pendants were often attached to elaborate belts.
Upon further research I also discovered that another quintessential Scottish item can possibly trace its ancestry to the ancient Egyptians. The bagpipes roots lie in ancient Egypt and Babylonia, where early double-piped instruments probably sounded the melody and the bag as air supply played the accompaniment. Some sources say the pipes made their way to Scotland via Rome – Emperor Nero (37-68 A.C.) was apparently a keen player. During the Roman expansion into Europe and Britain, the bagpipes were used by soldiers during religious observances, and could have been appropriated then by the locals. Other sources say the bagpipes reached Scotland with immigrants from the Mediterranean by the way of the west coast between 2000 and 3000 B.C., or via Ireland with its close ties to Spain. Or of course it could be that the Highlanders invented their pipes completely independently in pre-Roman times.
If you’ve been thinking of going, Egypt needs you now more than ever as so much of the country relies on tourism. It broke my heart that the major sightseeing destinations had been reduced to ghost-towns. When I visited the Valley of the Kings with my dad, we were the only people there, and felt as if we were modern day explorers discovering the tombs for the first time.
I feel incredibly fortunate that I was able to spend time in Egypt, especially during such a pivotal moment in the country’s immense history. The Egyptians are a wonderfully friendly bunch who will go to all lengths to make you feel welcome in their country. If you’re considering making the trip – go! It’s definitely not your average holiday, but completely worth it for the sights, the people, the food, and even the heat.
I was looked after in Cairo and Luxor by the incredibly wonderful Memphis Tours – Cheers guys!
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Fireworks over Edinburgh Castle
Throughout the month of August in Edinburgh, look up to the sky above Edinburgh Castle at approximately 10:30pm and you’ll be greeted with a spectacular firework display. It’s currently festival time in Edinburgh, so this nightly nocturnal pyrotechnic treat means the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has reached it’s grand finale for another evening.
Performed every night from the 2nd till the 24th of August (except on Sunday), the tattoo features pipers, drummers, highland dancers, army regiments and other performers appearing in over 80 musical acts on the historic Edinburgh Castle esplanade. I was very fortunate to receive a complimentary ticket courtesy of the New Zealand Army Marching Band – one of the four international acts performing at this years event. The night I attended was the final dress rehearsal before the tattoo officially began. Even still, the grandstand was packed to capacity and photographers and cameramen dodged performers on the esplanade capturing promotional footage before the grand opening the following evening.
The word tattoo comes from the Dutch ‘doe den tap toe’ which translated literally means ‘close the (beer) tap’. The term was first encountered by the British Army when stationed in Flanders during the War of the Austrian Succession. The British adopted the practice and it became a signal, played by a regiment’s Corps of Drums or Pipes and Drums each night to tavern owners to turn off the taps of their ale kegs so that the soldiers would retire to their billeted lodgings at a reasonable hour.
The tattoo seats up to 9000 folk per evening, and every night is a sell out. At the time of writing this, there are only a limited number of tickets left for two performances in the final week of the shows run. With 24 performances scheduled throughout August, it means at least 216,000 people will see the show this year. So if you’re lucky enough to have a ticket, it’s a good idea to turn up to the castle early as the queues leading up to the esplanade are orderly, but absolutely teeming.
The show begins
The theme of the 2013 Tattoo celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland, paying homage to the wonderful and abundant landscapes and wildlife of Scotland. The show began with students from a local drama school spilling out of the castle’s gate, simulating the volcanic beginnings of the rock that Edinburgh Castle is perched upon. An impressive fanfare of the Massed Pipes and Drums followed with military precision, much to the delight of the audience.
Four international acts were divided into four seasons featuring a spring time saunter by the Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defence Band and Dancers, and an action packed summer-infused number from Mexico featuring the Monumental Jaguares Marching Band. I’m not really sure how the New Zealand Army Marching Band’s piece evoked Autumn, but it was fun nonetheless, with the band infusing contemporary songs such as Gangnam Style and the theme from Game of Thrones with a precise performance from the Lochiel Marching Drill Team. I felt rather sorry for the cameraman who got trapped at one point between the band and the drill team – he was knocked to the ground and trampled by the entire marching band in full view of the audience. I’m glad to report he was up and off again with his camera in tow moments later. Then as the temperature began to drop, the Central Orchestra of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces began their wondrous lament to the coldest time of year.
Team Mexico
The final part of the show featured bands of the Irish Guards, the Royal Logistic Corps and The Rifles who joined the Massed Military Bands against projections of Scottish flora and fauna on the castle exterior. There was also an appearance by the impressive life-size horse puppet Joey from the stage production of War Horse. The combination of all of the performers from the evening, the fireworks and the lone piper provided an colourful and inspiring finale to the evening.
Projection on Edinburgh Castle during Korea’s performance
It was a particularly balmy evening, which I hear is rather unheard of during festival time – my jacket even stayed under my seat the entire time. At times the Tattoo seemed a little more ‘Olympics Opening Ceremony’ than military band performance, and there wasn’t as much piping as I thought there would be. Perhaps one of the most spectacular sights were the son et lumière displays projected on to the wall of the castle throughout each performance. The jewel in the crown of Edinburgh’s festival programme, the 2013 Tattoo was a particularly enjoyable experience that remains a must-see event on any festival calendar.
You can view an album of photos from the tattoo over on TartanFootprint.com by clicking here.
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]]>Just had an email from one of our customers to thank us for a kilt pin she had just received. She also told us that her son Marshall had played with the Royal Scots Dragoon & Coldstream when they were on their N. American tour. The clip is well worth a watch – he’s very impressive. She must be incredibly proud.
The video below is of Marshall this year doing some Kitchen Piping which mixes old traditional and modern.
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Fiona 21 (left) and Faye 18 (right)
The siblings Fiona and Faye Henderson from Kirriemuir practise at Blair Castle ahead of this weekend’s Glenfiddich Piping and Fiddle Championships. Fiona and Faye are finalists in the events, the most respected competitions of the piping and fiddle worlds.
Faye, was the first woman to win the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering, one of the top awards that can be bestowed on a piper. Fiona, is one of the country’s finest young fiddlers.
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]]>Risto Todoroski is playing a Macedonian gaida (bagpipe) made from a whole billy goat skin, hardwood sleeved in water-buffalo horn.
A slow song followed by a folkdance tune from Macedonia and Thrace.
Sorry but this sounds – bleeting awful…
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