Bill Millin was the only member of the invading forces in June 1944 to wear a kilt. He was the person piper of Lord Lovat and is remembered for playing the pipes whilst under fire during the D-Day landings. Bill played "Hielan' Laddie" and "The Road to the Isles" as his comrades fell all around him on Sword Beach. Millin wasn’t shot by the German snipers because they thought him a madman and it was unlucky to shoot an madman.

A Haunting Lament

But, what about the pipes themselves their sound has engendered fear in Scotland's enemies for generations? The sound has stiffened Scots sinews in battle and led both attacks and retreats. It is a defining part of the Scots national identity. And every year the lone piper is the last haunting sound and image of the Edinburgh Tattoo when the lights are extinguished down on the Castle Esplanade.

Piping Shock Horror

 However, a new history by the National Museums of Scotland, Hugh Cheape says this much-loved instrument, the Highland bagpipe was actually invented less than 200 years ago. It was created using money from wealthy Scots émigrés living in London. Cheape says the  Highland bagpipe and many of its traditions like  much tartan garb was a Victorian nostalgic creation,  manufactured by the Scots middle classes in the early 1800s.

The Highland Pipe 

Simple of pipe were played in the Highlands until the 1700s and the Battle of Culloden marks a watershed for these pipes. Although the pipes were never proscribed pipes fell out of fashion. It was our ancestors the Victorians who led the revival of a new kind of pipe the Highland Pipe which we know today. Mr Cheape said: "The bagpipe in Scotland has suffered a malaise of misunderstanding and misinterpretation, of misappropriation and manipulation of a lively and vital musical culture. Its treatment might even serve as a metaphor for Scottish history and culture since the 18th century."

But misrepresented or no, the pipes are central to modern concepts of Scottishness and what better representation of this than Caithness Glass’s The Lone Piper which is available in a very Limited edition of one hundred. So don’t lament that you failed to get one and order yours now. It also has the benefit of thrift – as it is currently on offer with £35 off.

https://www.jamespirie.com/hot-house-the-lone-piper-l-e-100.html