Piping and Scottish Superstitions
There are superstitions all over the world about pretty much everything- don't step on a crack, don't let a black cat cross your path, pick up a penny for good luck. But, are there any superstitions about Bagpipes?
In Italy, bagpipe drones are traditionally tied with red ribbon to ward off the devil.
Some believe that you should never walk counter- clockwise while playing piobaireachd.
Many people believe that you should never play Lord Lovat's Lament at a wedding. This one has some historical basis to it. Simon Fraser kidnapped, raped and forced into marriage the Widow of the 10th Lord Lovat. During the attack, he had his piper play to cover up the screams and protests.
The tune "Flowers on the Forest" holds many superstitions. This tune was written by Jean Elliot of Teviotdale as a lament for the defeat at Flodden Field in 1513. Thousands of Scots were killed including several nobles, and King James IV. Some pipers believe that 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 that the tune is not to be played in public unless it is at a funeral. Some believe that the tune should not be played indoors for any occasion. When practicing the tune, you must only play on the chanter, not the bagpipes.
Even today, there are many modern day superstitions still alive in Scotland. Nessie is still in the minds of many people, especially those who have to swim through the dreaded Loch Ness for a triathlon segment. These athletes all have ₤1,000,000 insurance, just in case Nessie bites them!
"The Scottish Play" is a euphemism for William Shakespeares play “Macbeth”. It is considered very bad luck for the theatre and the actors in the play to utter the words “Macbeth” at any other time than while they are performing the play. To say “Macbeth” is thought to bring about the curse that has haunted the play since it was first performed. The curse brings about bad luck, accidents, and even death for the actors and theatre.
| Sincerely, Rauncie Kinnaird Kinnaird Bagpipes |
| Email: r.k@sasktel.net Phone: 306-249-2939 Website: http://www.kinnairdbagpipes.com |
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment