Playing bagpipes can ruin your life!

PIPER'S LAMENT Aug 25 2003


Threat to marriage, too much drink and going deaf

Playing bagpipes can ruin your life, according to a survey.

Many pipers said their passion for the instument had sunk their marriages.

And 84 per cent claimed to know band members who had become alcoholics.

The survey by Piper & Drummer magazine found the instrument should come with a health warning.

Mike McNeill, a former World Pipe Band Championship contestant, admitted: "Piping can take over your life. In a band, you have to practise alone every day and attend meetings every week.

"Entire summers are devoted to competitions, your social life tends to revolve around hard drinking with other members and it can really takes its toll."

And Stuart Cassells, chairman of Stirling Pipe Band and member of the contemporary band Red Hot Chili Pipers said pipers were "susceptible to the drink".

He said: "There have been those who have been known worldwide as fantastic pipers but are no strangers to a dram or two.

"It seems to be a common thing in piping circles."

The Tartan Army's official piper, Calum "Spud" Fraser, said: "People at functions are always offering you a dram."

But the social dangers may be more difficult to address than the physical ones.

Pipers have been warned about hearing problems and repetitive strain injury. Piper and acoustics expert James Bousquet said: "Regular hearing tests are a good idea."

Robert Wallace, of the Glasgow-based College of Piping, said: "In the past, no one wore ear protection but there is no excuse nowadays."