# Just in case you haven't had enough bagpipes in your life lately **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [November 29, 2020, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705 "2020-11-29T00:31:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/141 "2022-05-19T13:42:07Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/W9o84ZxLqgU/maxresdefault.jpg "Prima Nocta - Killin 'it") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9o84ZxLqgU) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GeBcEusUn0U/maxresdefault.jpg "Prima Nocta 1") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeBcEusUn0U) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZQ_3hsCDp7k/maxresdefault.jpg "Clanadonia") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ_3hsCDp7k) ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2022, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/142 "2022-06-04T01:44:10Z")
Nice! ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2022, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/143 "2022-06-04T20:14:20Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Bagpipes may have originated in the Middle or Near East. Origins are obscure My wife and I saw a Greek fellow playing something bagpipe-like in Rhodes. On another note, how do you make a Celtic Cross? A. Kick him in the bagpipes. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2022, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/144 "2022-06-05T11:04:31Z")
Thanks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2022, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/145 "2022-06-06T15:55:35Z")
On the anniversary of the 1944 Normandy landings. This guy was _awesome_: > **[Bill Millin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Millin)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > > William Millin (July 14, 1922 – August 18, 2010), commonly known as Piper Bill, was a Canadian musician who played bagpipes, and was personal piper to Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, commander of the British 1 Special Service Brigade at D-Day. > Millin was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, on July 14, 1922, to a father of Scottish origin who moved the family to the Prairies, but returned to Glasgow as a policeman when William was three. He grew up an... > **[The bagpiper of D-Day](https://www.history.co.uk/article/the-bagpiper-of-d-day)** > > Bill Millin, the 'mad' bagpiper who played during the Normandy landings ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/146 "2022-06-25T22:32:02Z")
Pipes start in at 5:01. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0tUXUZUl6os/maxresdefault.jpg "40th Anniversary of The Falklands War Parade - Edinburgh 2022") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tUXUZUl6os) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/147 "2022-10-26T17:11:55Z")
God save the King, and the pipes wake him! > ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/148 "2022-10-26T20:43:56Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/v_46MsHe3XU/hqdefault.jpg "Cadence To Arms/Do or Die - Dropkick Murphys") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_46MsHe3XU) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/149 "2022-10-27T00:58:14Z")
I attended a Scottish Presbyterian college in St Paul (Macalester), even though I’m neither. The school’s official instrument is the bagpipe, and it has a pipe band. I had one class that met in the afternoon twice a week, on the second floor of a building next to a parking lot. That period was also the time one member of the pipe band scheduled for practice outdoors. For an hour every Tuesday and Thursday, she serenaded us with the dulcet tones of her pipe. Out of personal interest, I learned to play the pipe myself before I even enrolled at Mac. I got to be quite good on the chanter, but never developed the stamina to keep that damned bag full. I at least earned the right to wear the clan tartan and badge when I graduated. A couple of years ago, I enquired at a local imports shop how much it would cost to be outfitted in a full dress kit. The answer was “Around $2000.” Too rich for me in my current conditions. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/150 "2022-10-27T02:09:17Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Bagpipes are a love it or hate it instrument. Unfortunately, my friend Dan Stewart hated them. I’d praised a bagpipe performance, and he just muttered “Try having your very tiny house full of uncles at Thanksgiving, all playing bagpipes at once.” “Ohhh, _Royal_ Stewart?” He just nodded dejectedly. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/151 "2022-10-27T10:54:21Z")
That’s the trouble - what most people think of as bagpipes were meant for outdoor use, partly to put the bejaysus up an enemy. The [various kinds of small pipes](https://www.google.com/search?q=small+pipes&client=ms-android-motorola-gfw&prmd=sivn&sxsrf=ALiCzsYF58fB7lg6dAV3sH9ptay2fHM29A:1666867992956&source=lnms&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiD5e2Un4D7AhWNWMAKHSPsCBwQ_AUoA3oECAIQAw&biw=360&bih=630&dpr=2) are much easier on the eardrums (depending on the number and capabilities of the relevant uncles, of course). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/152 "2022-12-21T02:31:43Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/7UGX7nNSrHQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Christmas Flashmob - 3 RAR Pipes and Drums") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UGX7nNSrHQ) Highland Cathedral The Gael Jingle Bells Our Director (3 RAR’s battalion song) ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/153 "2022-12-21T02:37:11Z")
That _Jingle Bells_ was magical! Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/154 "2023-04-06T15:59:54Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oE3TcWXk4D8/maxresdefault.jpg "Flowers of the Forest") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE3TcWXk4D8) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/155 "2023-04-06T16:20:35Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qV5-QPJtjDU/maxresdefault.jpg "Freebird power duet on electric violin and bagpipes?? | MIA x ALLY @MiaAsano") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV5-QPJtjDU) ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/156 "2023-11-26T18:25:03Z")
Bagpiping can now be offered as treatment for various respiratory conditions on the NHS: > **[King’s charity offers bagpipe lessons in bid to improve lung conditions](https://careappointments.com/care-news/scotland/200241/kings-charity-offers-bagpipe-lessons-in-bid-to-improve-lung-conditions/)** > > The King’s charity has launched a health initiative promoting playing the bagpipes to improve certain lung conditions and breathing difficulties. The Prince’s Foundation pilot programme, believed to be the first ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/157 "2024-07-03T16:33:16Z")
Some recent stuff from Highland Games I stumbled across: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/pgtl8TQ2yz4/maxresdefault.jpg "Meldrum Academy Pipe Band march in playing Scotland the Brave at 2024 Oldmeldrum Highland Games") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgtl8TQ2yz4) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/WjsFzVwwYqM/hqdefault.jpg "St. Thomas Alumni - Medley - Chicago Highland Games 2024") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjsFzVwwYqM) ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2024, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/158 "2024-07-14T05:49:50Z")
This series has been broadcast here - I don’t know if it’s been sold internationally: > **[Battle of the Bagpipes | Sky Arts | Sky.com](https://www.sky.com/watch/battle-of-the-bagpipes)** > > A three-part documentary series which will lift the lid on piping. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/159 "2025-11-13T06:33:23Z")
Surely 374 is enough? > **[Watch 374 bagpipe players break a world record with AC/DC tribute – video](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/video/2025/nov/13/watch-374-bagpipe-players-break-a-world-record-with-acdc-tribute-video)** > > The previous world record for the largest bagpipe ensemble was 333 pipers in Bulgaria ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705/160 "2025-11-13T06:47:14Z")
In case you didn’t recognise it, the tune they played was from AC/DC’s _It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)_, which they released as a single on 8 Dec 1975. By complete coincidence AC/DC kicked off their latest and likely last world tour in Melbourne last night - massively good first show by all accounts. They don’t play that song in their live set as its one they reserve to the memory of Bon Scott. The world record attempt was set close to where [this clip of the song was filmed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-qkY2yj4_A&list=RDg-qkY2yj4_A&start_radio=1) - get your bagpipe fix here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-in-case-you-havent-had-enough-bagpipes-in-your-life-lately/926705.md?page=7)