subject: The Pipes The Pipes Are Playing [print this page] The Pipes The Pipes Are Playing The Pipes The Pipes Are Playing
Pipe bands are most popular in countries with celtic roots such as Scotland, Ireland and parts of Spain and France. Bands are made up of pipers , the drum corps -including snare drummers, tenor drummers and a single bass drummer. The pipe band is led by the drum major when on parade.The pipe band has military origins, for example the Royal Scots was mentioned in records about the 1800's - taken on as private pipers by the regiment. Queen Victoria's love of Scotland led to the popularity of pipe bands in British military regiments. In 1840 pipe bands became an official part of each regiment.During the First World War, military pipers played in the treches and sometime when battles were taking place. Many lost their lives during the war. Military Pipe bands form a key part of regiments today.The Fire service and the Police force were the first civilian companies to establsh pipe bands.The music played by pipe bands comes from traditional celtic music fround in Scotland, Ireland and Brittany, with the bagpipe as an integral part of any band.One of the biggest events in the Scottish Piping calendar is the famous World Pipe Band Championship, last year the event featured over 220 pipe bands and 8000 pipers and drummers from around the world. As well as showcasing Scottish talent the day was an international affair with world renowned pipers from Australia, USA, Pakistan, New Zealand and Canada displaying the diversity of the pipes.So how have the Bag pipes gained such world wide popularity?As the British Empire expanded Bagpipes were - known worldwide as they were played by many regiments, including those from Highlands. During the first and second world war a large number of pipers were trained for military service, foreign militaries also took up the bagpipes including those in Uganda, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Oman.Pipe bands and uniformsThere are some particularities in the highland dress worn by pipe bands. Piper jacket are worn for competitions, while military and police pipe bands wear jackets with military or guards doublets. Feather bonnets, glengarries and balmorals are worn with a variety of sporrans - military bands often wearing horse hair sporrans. The socks or hose for pipers in normally rolled over at the top.We are setting up a special pipe band page on our highlandwear website If you would like you pipe bands to be featured please contact - see contact details below with an image of your band along with: A brief introduction, when band established, location and an interesting fact about your band.
