Utilikilts – what do pipers think?

By Drive-by Piper, on February 15th, 2007%

There is periodic discussion of non-traditional kilts on the forums to which I belong. Lately, someone posed the question, Have you seen anyone compete solo wearing a Utilikilt? I usually comment on these threads, since, unlike the majority of pipers, I regularly wear both traditional and non-traditional kilts.

Many pipers (or at least, the vocal . . . → Read More: Utilikilts – what do pipers think?

One comment   Competitions, Kilts

The Rowan Tree – reason to lament

By Drive-by Piper, on February 7th, 2007%

Well, I found out more about the tune Lament for the Rowan Tree, courtesy of the Bob Dunsire Bagpipe Forums.

Turns out it was inspired by the abandoned cottages of crofters who had left the highlands. Here is what the composer, Donald MacLeod, wrote about the tune in his book of piobaireachd:

Traveling through the Highlands, one . . . → Read More: The Rowan Tree – reason to lament

One comment   Songs | Tunes, The Big Music

O! Rowan Tree, O! Rowan Tree

By Drive-by Piper, on February 5th, 2007%

At this time of year (halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox) the Celtic peoples observe a festival called Imbolc. This observance has spread out with the people, and is also observed here in the United States, where it is sometimes called Groundhog Day.

Apparently, the festival has traditional links with the . . . → Read More: O! Rowan Tree, O! Rowan Tree

One comment   Songs | Tunes, The Big Music