Isn't the tune "The Muckin' O' Geordie's Byre"? I'm sorry I don't know the musician.Originally Posted by Chas
It is a fascinating instrument. Anytime I hear one at a folk music festival or such, I'm just mesmerized by the sound. The only recording I have is a Christmas CD of period pieces and this is one of the featured instruments.
Although this is an often repeated statement, the bagpipes were never outlawed in the Act of Proscription. They were in a separate court case deemed an "instrument of war" which was then the justification for a death sentence of the piper in question but my understanding is this was an isolated case, implicating him as being in and with "armed men".during the time when the English outlawed both bagpipes and harps
Some do make the case that the pipes were included in the broader language, however, it is clear that the piping tradition continued during the "dark years" and I have yet to see evidence of their actual ban. This is one of those topics that always gets bandied about on the piping boards and I too always had accepted this story of their ban. However, like many things, this is another one that just doesn't seem to stand the scrutiny of history.
For simplicity sake, I pulled this from Wiki (I know, I know . . .):
The "whatsoever" is what this claim is based on but again, no one seems to be able to substantiate that the Act was ever interpreted or prosecuted in this manner.[edit] Sections of the Act
A new section, which became known as the Dress Act, banned wearing of "the Highland Dress". Provision was also included to protect those involved in putting down the rebellion from lawsuits. Measures to prevent children from being "educated in disaffected or rebellious principles" included a requirement for school prayers for the King and Royal family.
Claims that other portions of the Act of Proscription prohibited the playing of bagpipes, the gathering of people, and the teaching of Gaelic (the Highlander's native tongue) do not appear to be supported by the text of the Act at the link shown below.
The portions that forbade other acts were covered under the generality of this part of the statute: "any part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the highland garb. . ." The "whatsoever" makes it clear that this was not restricted to "only" traditional clothing. As bagpipes "belonged to the highland garb" and the Scottish Gaelic language could also be thus interpreted, these were used to that effect. [2]
The most severe penalties, at a minimum six months incarceration and transportation to a penal colony for a second offense, made these the most severe portion of this act.
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