2024-03-10

International Bagpipe Day 2024

    bagpipe Johnston plaid
My maternal heritage is Scot. My ancestors hail from Scotland and England long ago.

One of those aspects which has intrigued me about my lineage is the bagpipe. I have heard them being played on several occasions in my life and the last one being at the funeral of my dearly departed Aunt Glenda Johnston Jolly which was held September 6th, 2002 with me in attendance.

Today is International Bagpipe Day.

It is observed each March 10th and celebrates the bagpipes, which have been in use since 400 BC. I believe them to be an acquired musical taste and I have enjoyed their strains on various occasions including Amazing Grace played by LCDR Scott at the first timeline funeral of Spock — after he had transfered his katra to Dr McCoy — in orbit around the planet Genesis on Star Trek TOS long ago.

The bagpipe is a unique instrument indigenous to Scotland and Ireland. They require an air supply and include a blowpipe, the bag, the chanter, the chanter reed, and one or more drones from which the music eminates.

I hope you'll engage the next opportunity to hear the bag pipe. Like I said, it is an acquired taste. I didn't like the sound very much during my first few listenings.

Now I like the sound just fine. Happy International Bagpipe Day.

See Also:

Bagpipe Appreciation Day 2023
The Worldwide Celebration of Plaid 2022
Bagpipe Appreciation Day 2022