The main reason I go to Scottish festivals is to hear the bagpipes. There were 6 bands at this gathering:
- Harpenden Pipes and Drums
- Bedford Pipe Band
- Epping Forest Pipe Band
- Milton Keynes Pipe Band
- Nene Valley Pipe Band
- City of Norwich Pipe Band

We live in Harpenden, and were glad to learn that there's a pipe and drum band based here. My parents loved the bagpipes and my dad had a set (which I have now) and played them when I was very young. Mom never failed to go to any Scottish festival that was within driving distance.

When I was in high school, as a school project, I starting learning to play the bagpipes. The experiment came to an end when the instrument I was learning on disappeared from my locker. Several years ago, I told Ellen that I'd learn the bagpipes when I retired. If I'm going to make good on that statement, now is the time.

Ellen played percussion in school and in the military. She's not looking for ways to spend her time, but -- seeing how she actually knows how to play her instrument -- would fit in much more quickly than I would.

We tracked down the drum major of the Harpenden band. It turns out that he teaches pipe and drums, and that the band is open to newcomers. So, I guess I need to decide if I want to pursue this...

Video of all 6 of the bands
Video of the Harpenden band