Stephen,
I also do not want to discourage you in taking up the pipes. I started with zero musical background. I am learning to read score, both as is traditional for woodwinds, and the somewhat weird form of meaning for the Highland pipes. The tutor is the only way to keep from being a total embarrassment in the journey. I am just starting on tunes after five very intensive months of learning the fingering of the chanter. One of the first tunes that a student learns is Amazing Grace. Almost all of us are familiar with it as a hymn in our church service. The score looks real simple in the hymnal for the organ, piano and guitar. Then when you first look at the score for the Highland Bagpipes, it looks even simpler. It is far from simple. The interpretation of the music is very important, as there are only eight basic notes on the Highland pipes, it is the embellishments that make the tune work. Each embellishment has several techniques. Which technique you use varies according to the real sound that is acceptable.
Good luck on the journey, and be prepared to use a lot of time on the highway in heavy traffic.