| Ever heard of the Highland Bagpipe? | | | | anywhere without them including battles. In 1396, the |
| Well, in this day and time, if you mention the word | | | | first recorded use of the instrument in battle |
| bagpipe, you suddenly have images of tartan wearing | | | | happened at the clan fight at Perth. The sound of |
| pipe bands or maybe a classic ACDC song. But | | | | the bagpipe was feared by enemies and could be |
| bagpipes have been around longer than Mickey | | | | heard from as far away as 10 miles. |
| Rooney and were being played for thousands of | | | | After the English quashed the clan in the mid 1700's, |
| years before they ever made their way to Scotland. | | | | it became a crime to wear tartan or play bagpipes. |
| No one is quite sure when the Highland Bagpipe first | | | | The bagpipes were designated as a weapon and |
| arrived. One theory has the Romans introducing them | | | | disappeared from the Highlander landscape until the |
| during their invasion of the British Isles. Still another | | | | Victorian age. During this time, it suddenly became |
| solution is that the Irish may have had them when | | | | fashionable to be a piper and a Highlander in general. |
| they were invaded by the Scots. Or perhaps none of | | | | It is easy to forget the storied past of the Great |
| the above. | | | | Highland Bagpipe and the many battles they invoked. |
| The current Highland Bagpipe is made up of three | | | | Next time you hear a bagpipe, sit down and really |
| drones. These include two tenors, one bass, a | | | | listen to the soulful sounds emitting from the bag. It |
| chanter, a blowstick, and the bag which is usually | | | | is almost a surreal experience. Keep in mind that you |
| made up of leather but can be a synthetic fabric. | | | | may be listening to the oldest instrument known to |
| Players of the Highland Bagpipe were held in very | | | | mankind. |
| high esteem and the Highlanders never ventured | | | | |
