Bagpipes & Kilts & Curling

[OC Richard]

Scotland the Brave vs. other tunes- why would a piper play anything else? Does it imply a different event/ceremony?

What other songs are out there? Do they have meanings when they are played?

About the Hockey our pipe band played on the ice for an Anaheim Ducks game last week. They wanted us to play The Star Spangled Banner which is horrid on the pipes, so we played other patriotic tunes (America The Beautiful and God Bless America). Our bit was pre-recorded in an empty arena due to Covid, they will play it during the game.

What I have much more experience with piping for Scotland at the Rugby. The first time I was going to do it (at USA Sevens) I had no idea what to play. A piper who plays for the Rugby at Murrayfield in Edinburgh told me what to play and when to play it.

The tunes were

Highland Cathedral

Flower Of Scotland

Scotland The Brave

We're No Awa' To Bide Awa'

Highland Cathedral and Flower Of Scotland both played before the match commences, I forget which order, but I think it was Highland Cathedral as Scotland takes the field and then Flower of Scotland functioning as the National Anthem.

During the match it's Scotland The Brave every time Scotland scores.

Then No Awa' to Bide Awa' as Scotland leaves the pitch at the end of the first period.

Not sure if it's correct but I played Highland Cathedral and Flower Of Scotland at the commencement of the second period. In fact, being up in the stands and not down on the field I was playing those more or less continuously during the match, competing as I was against Samoan drummers!

At USA Sevens in Las Vegas Nevada