Kinnaird Bagpipes Newsletter

Nov 2015  

in this issue
:: News
:: Upcoming Events
:: Featured Article
:: Scottish Humor
:: Video Clip
 
Greetings!  
  
                  
Last month's survey question: 
Do you practice any piping/drumming superstitions? 
It seems very few of you follow any superstitions. Here are some of the responses:
-Do NOT practice Flowers of the Forest, unless for a Funeral.
-Never practice Flowers of the Forest
-Never play Flowers of the Forest indoors or on full pipes
-Always have a wee drink before piping
-warm up with Rowan Tree
-I always wear some sort of hat while playing the pipes

Here are a few others we found:
-Flowers on the Forest holds many superstitions.  It's a lament for the defeat at Flodden Field in 1513 where thousands of Scots were killed, including several nobles and King James IV. Many believe it is bad luck to play the tune unless someone has died. To do so would bring an impending death to someone close to the piper. Others say you shouldn't play it in public unless at a funeral. Some believe it should never be played indoors. Practicing the tune should only be done on the chanter, not the bagpipes.
-In Italy, bagpipe drones are traditionally tied with red ribbon to ward off the devil
-Some believe you should never walk counter-clockwise playing piobaireachd
-You should never play Lord Lovat's Lament at a wedding. Based on history, Simon Fraser kidnapped, raped & forced into marriage the Widow of the 10th Lord Lovat.  During the attack, he had his piper play to cover up the screams.


This month's survey question:          
Have you ever been passed down a set of bagpipes from a family member? If so, what did you do with them?

Answer the Question
  
  
 
  Like us on Facebook
 

  

News    

 
Special Offer
Purchase any Piper's Pal Product from Nov 1st-9th and receive a
FREE recharge kit. Enter coupon code: Recharge


Featured Item: Sportkilts
Sportkilts have a velcro closure, a bit of elastic in the waistband, and are machine washable.

Mens Sportkilt
Ladies Sportkilt
Ladies Mini Sportkilt
Children's Sportkilts

 


US customers- Save Now! The exchange rate offers about 20% discount!
Ex.: Walsh Smallpipes are $709 CAD, but with the conversion it is currently about $535 USD*!!
*Please note that the exchange rate is constantly changing and exact exchange rate at time of purchase may vary.

Canadian Customers-
Save now! Shopping in US currency means about 25% premium on all products. Landed Canadian prices, mean savings!
Walsh Smallpipes from a US competitor are $749 USD, which is about $994 CAD!

Upcoming Events  


Nov 5 Guy Fawkes Day

Nov 11 Remembrance Day- Kinnaird Bagpipes will be Closed Remembrance Day

Nov 13 The Johnny McCuaig Band
at the Capitol Music Club in Saskatoon

Nov 28 SPBA Mini Gathering in Saskatoon

Nov 30 St Andrew's Day


      
Featured Article
 
Guy Fawkes & The Gunpowder Plot

In 1605, 13 conspirators planned to kill King James I & VI, his family, and most of the aristocracy by blowing up the House of Lords. Known as the Gunpowder Plot, Guy Fawkes was placed in charge due to his military & explosives experience. The plotters rented the cellar beneath the House of Lords and had hidden 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellar.

Concerned that fellow Catholics might be at Parliament the day of the planned attack, an anonymous letter was send to Lord Monteagle warning him not to go to Parliament that day. Monteagle forwarded the letter to the Secretary of State who initiated a search of the vaults on the early morning of Nov 5th. They were careful not to move anything as to alert the plotters.

Although aware of the letter, the conspirators continued with their plans. Fawkes was seized just as he tried to ignite the powder. He was arrested & tortured for days, but refused to give up the names of his co-conspirators. After hearing that others had been killed or captured, Fawkes gave up the names of the dead & those in positions of authority. They were tried on Jan 31st in Westminster Hall, then taken to Old Palace Yard to be hanged, drawn, & quartered.

A celebration is thrown on November 5th to celebrate the deliverance of the King. It was compulsory by Royal Decree until 1859, but is still celebrated in the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and some Caribbean islands. In many places, it is referred to as Bonfire Night or Fireworks Night instead of Guy Fawkes Night.

Video Clip

Here's a little Pipe Band Rock & Roll.


Scottish Humour

At an art auction in Edinburgh, a wealthy American lost his wallet containing �20,000.  He announced to the gathering that that he would give a reward of �200 to the person who found it.

From the back of the hall a Scottish voice shouted, 'I'll give �250.'
 
Scottish Trivia

Scottish Naming Customs

The general custom was to name children as follows:

Eldest son after the paternal grandfather,
Second son after the maternal grandfather,
Third son after the father,
Eldest daughter after the maternal grandmother,
Second daughter after the paternal grandmother,
Third daughter after the mother.
Younger children would be named after earlier family members, but the pattern in their case was less settled.

Product Reviews           
  
Piper's Pal Piper's Pal

"I had the original design (sans clip) when it first came out, lost it a little bit ago, have gone through umpteen reeds, never found a suitable case for them. Finally broke down and bought another. This is a must-have item!"

"Nice to have a few reeds ready to use at any time. Saves time getting the pipes from the case into playing shape. It also seems to make the break-in time for new reeds a little shorter (although that may just be my imagination)."

 
Don't forget to submit your own product reviews on our website.
Let other customers know what you thought of the products we offer.

 
Sincerely,

Kinnaird Bagpipes Logo  
Rauncie Kinnaird

Kinnaird Bagpipes

923 Emmeline Terrace

Saskatoon, SK
S7J 5G7
Ph: 1-877-249-2939
Fax: 1-306-249-2933

email: [email protected]

website: www.kinnairdbagpipes.com  


Kinnaird Bagpipes | 923 Emmeline Terrace | Saskatoon | SK | S7J 5G7 | Canada