So I was chatting with fellow tv extras during some off hours (there tend to be lots over the course of a day) – and I have to say we shuffled through a pret-ty pret-ty amazing catalog of topics! 

While waiting at long tables in “holding” between stints on set, our little group quickly exhausted standard discussions of where we were from, how our commutes had been, and what was for lunch. So we moved on to fare (this is all true) that included the best pizza in Manhattan, conspiracy theories about historic events, the plein air style of painting vs landscape – and tractor square dancing, which I didn’t know was a thing and which they just don’t cover in The Hollywood Reporter!

My own contribution to this eclectic conversational buffet? Well, I’d just been out to watch a bagpipe band competition, so (being no stranger to writing and sharing random thoughts) I offered my feelings about bagpiping, and inquired after theirs – 

And as all-over-the-place as the confab was, that was no easy segue!

But I was still thinking of a recent Saturday which I began by happily gazing out the window at a brief sunny break between successive So-Cal storms. I didn’t feel super ambitious, but I resolved to disrupt a forming pattern of solitary, homebound living by involving myself in something. I’d read there was a thing called “Pipes in the Park” going on nearby, so I dug up my Clan Gunn tam and headed out – not at all sure what I’d find.

I discovered it was a competition among three local Scottish pipe bands! I wasn’t certain I’d parked in the right area of Griffith Park – but the bagpiping and drumming that greeted my ears as soon as I opened the car door took care of any concern!  I easily followed the music to a marked off stretch of still-soaked grass where the bands performed for an appreciative little crowd, all under the watchful eyes of judges who each studied separate aspects of the presentations.

It was a pleasure to watch these talented and colorful groups perform, and fun to learn a bit about their competing – but I most appreciated when all the bands joined forces to fill the crisp air with a few more inspiring tunes! After so many days (by LA standards) of withering rain, it was the perfect event to perk me back up!

And that perky feeling kinda carried into the work week! I’m not proud of this – but oftentimes when I’m sitting at one of those holding tables, I right away bury my nose in a book or my phone to show I’m not up for chatting. But I guess I was still feeling sunny, because this time I chimed in with and genuinely enjoyed the lively talk about every kind of this-and-that, including (impossibly-rapid-snare-drumroll, please):  bagpipes! 

One table-mate right away responded that bagpipes made her think of somber occasions like funerals. A young background gal brought up the Disney character Scrooge McDuck who was fond of bagpipes. And another woman wasn’t sure she was thinking of the right instrument – so to help, I did my best vocal impression of Scotland the Brave:

Neeee Neeee Na Nee Nee Nee Nee 

Neeee Neeee Na Nee Nee Nee Nee…

That got her onboard. 

For myself, I’ve seen bagpipes in movies and stuff – and now I’m experiencing that “frequency bias” thing where they’re cropping up all over! Like I was just watching Dune (the 2021 version) and there appears to be a bagpipe player in – um – whatever spicy place they’re supposed to be. In football news (soccer, to me), the UEFA just reversed a decision and will allow bagpipes to be played at this year’s European Championship. And the February 24th Wordle word was “PIPER”! (Got it in three. Just sayin’.)

And whenever I think bagpipes, I definitely do think Scotland! I guess the jury’s still out on where exactly the instruments were first played. It’s possible they had them all the way back in Ancient Egypt. Did Roman Legions maybe bring bagpipes over to jam along Hadrian’s wall? Or did a version of the instrument pop up in Ireland?

In any case, back to the 16th Century there are Scottish references to bagpipes’ being used during wars. In the Battle of Pinkie (a name that, forgive me, I’m struggling to present with all seriousness…), they apparently employed bagpipes instead of signaling trumpets because the sound could clearly be heard over the awful din of war. Judging by the way bagpipes led me to the festivities in Griffith Park, I see how that could have worked!

And I can sure see how spirited pipers and drummers could psych up a soldier on the battlefield! Even now, there seem to be martial associations with piping – like when a band takes the stage and begins to play, it’s called an “attack”; and the full Scottish piper’s outfit, with the kilt and all, includes a dagger (aka, a dirk).

My favorite bagpipe-y thoughts though are of the occasions when I’ve gotten to share a concert live! While not quite moved to go out and lead a charge, I’ve been thrilled all the same!

A couple decades ago, I got to immerse myself in Scottish tradition at a festival in Portland, Oregon, where bagpipes provided the upbeat score for events like caber tossing and a “Kilted Mile” race:

I also had a terrific time at a festival beside the Queen Mary down in Long Beach! On top of traditional piping, there was a performance by an Australian band of Scottish descent called Brother – the group made full use of its heritage by incorporating both a bagpipe and an Aboriginal didgeridoo into its energetic sound!

And probably the most delightful performance I ever caught was during a vacation with the folks on Canada’s Prince Edward Island! We paused in covering all things L.M. Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables to take in a show by the “College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada” in Summerside. It was a yummy confection of bagpipes, drums, dancers, a harp and a singer – and it was absolutely charming!

So yeah, I’m a bit fascinated by the bagpipe – I mean, what an instrument to think up! It’s not a subtle one, for sure. But to me, that sustained and pure sound can coax out the purest of feelings and memories – both festive and forlorn.

Like I used to catch pipe band and dancing performances at the retirement facility in the folks’ hometown of Florence, Oregon. They’d get everyone out to the parking lot for a show that would spark tapping in the most elderly of toes!

On the other side of the emotional coin, I was getting through the funeral services for Queen Elizabeth well enough – until that lone bagpiper played and caused me to disintegrate into complete mush…

After a mess of depressingly rainy days like I rarely experience anymore, it was a total pick-me-up to renew my acquaintance with this evocative instrument! And when I think of it, I kind of ended up following bagpipes not just out to where I could properly revel in a sunny day, but also into a wonderfully varied and friendly conversation that would have been a real shame to miss if I’d kept to myself.

Sometimes it takes an entire band to lead me out of my comfort zone and into the social fray. But hoots mon – can it ever be worth it!

Cheers!

(And a special “cheers” to the City of Angels Pipe Band, the Glendora Pipe Band, and the Kevin R. Blandford Memorial Pipe Band!)