It’s not easy to ignore the giant figure of Pipe Major Scott Taylor, so when he starts piping some musical sense into aspiring pipers and drummers in Perth this week (7-10 July), he’s sure of a captive audience!

Pipe Major Scott Taylor and his team are running workshops on the bagpipe and the highland drums in Perth as part of the Pipers Trail – a musical and theatrical spectacle currently touring Scotland to celebrate the Army in Scotland’s links with the nation’s communities.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone to come and learn about pipes and drums, and have a go, and it beats watching TV during the holidays,” said Scott, who takes over as Pipe Major of The Black Watch (3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland) at the end of The Pipers Trail.

“There are still a few places left, come on down and give it a go,” he said.

The workshops are running at Queens Barracks on Dunkeld Road on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (8th, 9th, 10th July) , starting at 10 am, and they cost only £10.00.

Perth is the latest stop on the Pipers Trail’s - a six week long musical and theatrical tour 470 miles across the length and breadth of nation, ending with a two week run at the Edinburgh festival.

There will also be a Beating Retreat by The Pipers’ Trail pipes and drums at North Inch on Thursday 10th July at 7pm.

The Pipers Trail is a celebration of bagpipe music, highland drumming and the historic connections through which the Army in Scotland is interweaved with the nation’s culture. It is designed to re-invigorate the Army’s links with Scotland’s communities and show that, despite the pressures of current operations, the Army’s traditionally high standards and values remain intact.

The Pipers’ Trail is the brainchild of Scotland’s top soldier, Brigadier David Allfrey, who commands 51 (Scottish) Brigade.

“The Pipers’ Trail is a chance for us to reach out and have a series of terrific parties across Scotland celebrating our rich cultural tapestry. But it’s also a chance for us to show that, despite the operational pressures of recent times, the Army still seeks to encourage the kind of values that made people think it a fine and honourable thing to be a Scottish Soldier,” Brigadier Allfrey said.
 

Fond memories came rushing back when 88-year-old former piper Alex Morrison was treated to a private performance of the Army in Scotland's 'The Pipers' Trail' - a musical and theatrical spectacle touring Scotland over the next six weeks.

Alex, who lives at Tang House in Lerwick, Shetland, was delighted to hear tunes he had played across North Africa's deserts as a young piper in the second world war being played to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army.

"I joined the Black Watch TA regiment before the war so I could play the pipes, and before long I was with the 51st Highland Division in the Libyan desert," Alex said.

"Monty would come and give us all a talk, and we'd get issued two bottles of beer afterwards. We always knew that meant we were about to go back into action!".

"I heard the Pipers' Trail was coming, and I asked if I could be a part of it. I think it's the finest idea I've heard in years," he said.

Alex recounted his war exploits to Brigadier David Allfrey, Commander of 51 (Scottish) Brigade and the man behind the Pipers' Trail concept.

"It is an honour to meet Alex, because he displays all the values and standards that the Army still holds dear, such as courage, integrity, loyalty and respect for others," he said.

"I hope the Pipers' Trail will help people see what Army stands for," he commented. "Come and join us on the route, sponsor a mile, have a go at a workshop, or perform in a show. Think of a way to join the fun, and follow the piper!"

Pipers Trail began on Tuesday 17th July in Lerwick and will wind its way for 460 miles around most of Scotland's population centres with a celebration of bagpipe music, highland drumming and the historic connections through which the Army in Scotland is interweaved with the nation's culture.

The Army in Scotland’s main effort to mark the centenary of the Territorial Army (TA 100) gets underway today (17 June 2008) as The Pipers’ Trail starts its 460 mile journey, starting at Lerwick, heading across the length and breadth of Scotland, and ending up in Edinburgh on 27 July.

The spectacular roadshow starts in Lerwick with support from Shetland’s Royal British Legion Pipe Band with support from local musicians. This is the first time the Army has staged anything on this scale in Scotland and provides local regiments and battalions along the 460 mile route with a unique opportunity to meet and interact with communities in a fun and expressive way.

The Pipers’ Trail is the brainchild of Brigadier David Allfrey, Commander of 51 (Scottish) Brigade, who stated: “After many months of planning, we’re naturally delighted to get The Pipers’ Trail underway and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved. I’d also like to call on the people of Scotland to come out and support The Pipers’ Trail as we make our way through the towns and cities along the Trail and use the occasion and opportunity to raise money for local good causes.

“The Army in Scotland has a long and established relationship with pipe and drum music and, through various events this summer, we will encourage more people to play, learn, listen to and enjoy traditional piping music. At key locations along the route there will be a series of piping and drumming Summer Workshops, conducted over four days, with a professionally staged performance at the end of every week.”

Brigadier Allfrey continued: “The intention of The Pipers’ Trail is to provide, through the medium of bagpipe music and highland drumming, an insight into Scottish culture. With Scottish soldiers serving all around the world, The Trail will help connect them with their local communities through a shared passion for music. We invite people of all ages to come and enjoy the celebrations in their local area and hope to inspire and excite Scots everywhere.”

The Trail will visit towns and cities across Scotland starting at Lerwick 17-18 June, Kirkwall 19-20 June, Wick 21 June, Inverness 23-28 June, Aberdeen 23-29 June, Dundee 30 June-6 July, Perth 7-10 July, Stirling 7-13 July, Ayr 14-17 July, Glasgow 14-20 July and finishing in Edinburgh between 21-27 July.

Kevin Reilly, Chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), explained that the organisation has worked with the Army to arrange a number of workshops, which will take place at the main stops of the route. He said: “The Pipers’ Trail shares our vision of encouraging piping and drumming and I believe the Army in Scotland will contribute significantly to our joint endeavours over the coming summer. We’re looking forward to welcoming all budding pipers and drummers to workshops and want everyone to have a good time and mix with other musicians but also we seek to raise the standards of playing. People of all ages and abilities will be invited to join in and enjoy the various performances and events at each location along the way.”

The Pipers’ Trail will culminate in Edinburgh the week before the Military Tattoo and is expected to become a key milestone in the Scottish cultural and military calendar. For further information, visit www.thepiperstrail.com

ENDS

Media Contact:
The Pipers’ Trail Press Office on 0131 272 2750 or at pressoffice@thepiperstrail.com
 

In Glasgow today, the Army launched The Piper’s Trail, a unique musical journey which will visit communities the length and breadth of Scotland this summer. The Pipers’ Trail is a celebration of the Army’s links with Scotland though music, culture and tradition and will consist of a number of musical events and workshops.

The Pipers’ Trail aims to cement and take forward the Army’s place in Scottish society while highlighting its values and standards and reinforcing its importance to local communities across the country.

The Trail will set off from Shetland on 17 June and will form a major part of the centenary celebrations for the Territorial Army (TA 100) as it travels through Scotland over the course of six weeks in June and July. Pipers and drummers will make a journey of more than 470 miles with each mile piped by an individual soldier until it reaches the end of the route in Edinburgh.

People of all ages and abilities will be invited to join in and enjoy the various performances and events at each location along the way.

Brigadier David Allfrey, Commander of 51 (Scottish) Brigade, launched the Pipers’ Trail outside the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) Headquarters in Glasgow, while a cavalcade of pipers and drummers provided a taste of the upcoming musical performances.

Speaking at the launch, Brigadier Alfrey said: “This is the first time the Army has staged anything on this scale in Scotland. It provides local battalions with a unique opportunity to meet and interact with communities in a fun and expressive way.

“The Army in Scotland has a long and established relationship with pipe and drum music and, through various events this summer, we will encourage more people to play, learn, listen to and enjoy traditional piping music. At key locations along the route there will be a series of piping and drumming Summer Workshops, conducted over four days, with a professionally staged performance at the end of every week.

“The intention of The Pipers’ Trail is to provide, through the medium of bagpipe music and highland drumming, an insight into Scottish culture. With Scottish soldiers serving all around the world, The Trail will help connect them with their local communities through a shared passion for music.

“We invite people of all ages to come and enjoy the celebrations in their local area and hope to inspire and excite Scots everywhere.”

The Trail will visit towns and cities across Scotland including: Lerwick 17-18 June , Kirkwall 19-20 June, Wick 21 June, Inverness 23–28 June, Aberdeen 23-29 June, Dundee 30 June-6 July, Perth 7-10 July, Stirling 7-13 July, Ayr 14-17 July, Glasgow 14-20 July and Edinburgh 21-27 July.

Kevin Reilly, Chairman of the RSPBA, explained that the organisation will work with the Army to arrange a number of workshops, which will take place at the main stops of the route. He said: “The Pipers’ Trail shares our vision of encouraging piping and drumming and I believe the Army in Scotland will contribute significantly to our joint endeavours over the coming summer.

“We want everyone to have a good time and mix with other musicians but also we seek to raise the standards of playing. Our values are very similar to those held by the Army and we are delighted to adopt this shared approach in the pursuit of musical excellence.”

The Pipers’ Trail will culminate in Edinburgh the week before the Military Tattoo and is expected to become a key milestone in the Scottish cultural and military calendar.

Media Contact: 
The Pipers’ Trail Press Office on 0131 272 2750 or pressoffice@thepiperstrail.com

Notes to Editors:
The Pipers’ Trail will include five key components:

1. The Journey: The 472 mile route will be travelled mile-by-mile by pipers and drummers each having bid for particular sections of the journey. At each chosen centre of population, (Lerwick, Kirkwall, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Stirling, Glasgow, Ayr and Edinburgh) The Army will hold:
2. An RSPBA Summer Workshop
3. A Show (of varying scales depending on the location)
4. A civic event
5. A church service

Main Events:
Shetland – 17 June
Orkney – 19 June
Wick – 21 June
Inverness – 28 June
Aberdeen – 28 June
Dundee – 5 July
Perth – 10 July
Stirling – 12 July
Ayr – 17 July
Glasgow – 19 July
Edinburgh – 26 July