Pipe and Drum Bands What Could Be Better? –

220 of Them!

 Now every reader of this blog knows of my fondness for the pipes and that heart knocking moment when the lone piper or the mass pipes start their tuneful wail, but you could have knocked me down with a feather when I found out two new things. Firstly there was a magnificent Sikh pipe band from Malaysia in Scotland for the world pipe championship and secondly there is a Highland Perthshire Sikh Heritage Trail. Well it’s all down to the tangled history of our isles and the sub-continent of India. And yes the World Pipe Band Championships are back at Glasgow Green this August. There will be two days of competition showcasing the talents of some 8,000 pipers and drummers. Last year’s champ, a band called Field Marshal Montgomery, will be defending their title. The World Pipe Band Championships have been staged since 1947, but since the far back days of 1906 the winners at the annual Cowal Highland Gathering were recognised as World Champions too. It has got so big that now the ‘Worlds’ attract more than 220 bands from round the globe.

A Victorian Favourite

The Malaysian Sikh Pipe Band are making their way on pilgrimage to Kenmore the Scottish home of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh ruler of the Punjab who lived in exile in Perthshire from 1855 to 1863. The bands roots go back to 1856 the year before the great Indian Mutiny. It was all very tricky and political at that time. Duleep Singh was the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire and a great favourite of Queen Victoria and her hubby, Prince Albert. The Maharaja was exiled to Britain at age 15 and he was something of a fish out of water,  intensely good looking and very popular, but he was forever cut off from full contact with India in case he became a rallying figure against the Empire.  When he died he wasn’t even allowed back to India then and is buried in Elveden Church in Suffolk. And I’ve just watched several clips of the band on that youtube thing and I would venture to say that they are pretty good, even excellent. Their playing at the Highland Games in Perth in 2015 is particularly fine, and they’ve attracted a large local as a piper too! And that’s me away with the fairies watching lots more clips and this year’s Linlithgow Marches and the Royal Regiment.  Whoosh, back to blogging.

1890 and All That

Now if you want a little bit of history and a lot of back story then James Pirie is the place to go as we were also established in the reign of Queen Victoria. Now we don’t know if we were a favourite of hers but it is safe to say our founder was a proud Scot. And because we want to give the best to our customers we scour the nation looking for the best of Scotland: Which brings me to the Scottish Oak company. They make rustic oak boards made from sustainably sourced fallen Scottish oak which are then hand crafted by a local charitable trust whose mission is ensure the future of local woodlands. And because you all know that I am over fond of a pun I give you – “Let the Weekend be Gin” a small oak serving board which is new to our ranges and a marvellous sustainable gift. And remember most gin is actually made north of the Border.

https://www.jamespirie.com/brands/scottish-oak/let-the-weekend-be-gin-small-oak-serving-board.html