One of my favourite definitions of a gentleman is someone who knows how to play the bagpipes but doesn’t.  I hope that explains why few people are aware of my fondness for piping and speaking at Burns Nights, otherwise I’ll have to believe that a strange blast of music has deafened them.  By way of background, I was fortunate to start learning young from three magnificent teachers, Duncan McCaskill, John MacFadyen, and Sandy Jones.  I also had the delight of meeting long-lasting friends such as Tom Netsel and Ray Jarrod.  When I was piping competitively I had the fortune of travelling to events such as Grandfather Mountain or even playing pipes that were a few hundred years old.  At one point in Orlando, Florida I was practising by Lake Fairview when the owner of Barrett’s Marine asked if I’d move.  While I was used to people asking me to “move away, far away”, oddly he was asking me to move in front of his yacht business to attract customers.  Barrett’s and I struck a deal that if I practised in front of his shop I could sail for free – thus cementing a lifelong love of boats.

Tom Netsel on the left, Bill McKay on the right, Ray Jarrett in the middle back, Will Marshall front right, Jim Moody – but find Modest Mike (oh, front and centre next to the beautiful girl)

In 1972 an older enthusiast, William “Bill” MacKay, founded the Orlando Pipes & Drums.  As early as 1973 we appeared on national television in Charles Kuralt’s “On The Road” CBS series. Charles filmed us on 10 January 1973 (I have the autograph) and we were on tenterhooks all week until it was shown.  National television was a big thing in the early 70’s.  I became a pipe major far too early when Bill sadly died in an automobile accident,  The Orlando Pipes & Drums went on to play at many events, having wonderful times at Disneyworld or Church Street Station.  We even had commercial success, so much so that the band bought a boat.  Odd that.

This year was special in a few ways.  First, rather than just piping or toasting at a Burns Night, this time at the home of my dear friend George Littlejohn, who once wrote a “Burns Night Address To Z/Yen“, I also put in a (mercifully gentlemanly) appearance at the wedding of my best man, Rupert Stubbs, to the delightful Joey Mason – so two January outings rather than one.  Second, not being Scottish has always been a problem. Yes, I used to have a kilt, MacAlpine if you must know (here in colour rather than black & white),

but was always being teased – about not being Scottish I mean.  This year I realised that perhaps a better set of gear for a non-Scottish piper might be an Alderman’s Court Velvet.

For yet more you gluttons, Piping At The Post – Twas A Dark And Stormy Afternoon.