Bagpipers band together for big Scottish thank you to brave coronavirus workers

Bagpipers across Scotland and beyond are tuning up in preparation for a unique mass tribute to all the workers and ordinary people helping to keep society safe and functioning during the coronavirus crisis.
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The special Pipe Up for Key Workers event will see hundreds of musicians join together in a rendition of ‘Scotland the Brave’ to show gratitude and support for the hard work being done every day as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise across the globe.

Anyone taking part is being asked to play along from a safe place, making sure to observe social-distancing advice.

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The planned tribute, which is set to take place at 8pm this evening, comes after a nationwide round of applause was staged for NHS workers last Thursday.

Finlay MacDonald, newly appointed director of the National Piping Centre, practises for the Pipe Up for Key Workers tribute with sons Elliott (10) and Fionn (8) on chanterFinlay MacDonald, newly appointed director of the National Piping Centre, practises for the Pipe Up for Key Workers tribute with sons Elliott (10) and Fionn (8) on chanter
Finlay MacDonald, newly appointed director of the National Piping Centre, practises for the Pipe Up for Key Workers tribute with sons Elliott (10) and Fionn (8) on chanter

Finlay MacDonald, the newly appointed director of Scotland’s National Piping Centre, is one of the organisers of the event.

He will be playing outside his home in Glasgow’s Clarkston area, accompanied by his sons on chanters and – at a distance – a number of other musicians around the neighbourhood.

“We’re trying to unite that will of the people to show our support to all the key workers and staff of the NHS,” he said.

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“We’re in Scotland so we thought getting the pipes out would be a nice thing to do

“I went out and did the round of applause with my family last week, and it was very emotional. I think that’s the sort of thing we all need at this time.

“We just thought this would be a really special way to show our gratitude.

“We’re doing it just to show our support to all the key staff - it’s such an uncharted time for all of us, and the people who are out there on the frontline, saving lives and feeding us and stuff that’s so important, it’s just to show appreciation.

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“Piping is pretty global and hopefully that will be represented in this gesture, and ‘Scotland the Brave’ is probably the most-known tune in the piping repertoire.”

As well as Mr MacDonald, some other well-known - and not-so-well-know - pipers are set to tune up their drones tonight.

In Edinburgh, the Lord Provost’s piper Louise Marshall, will be raising the rooftops of Leith – although not for the first time.

The professional piper, who has previously performed for the Pope and the Queen, became something of an internet sensation when she treated her neighbourhood to an impromptu appearance during last week’s NHS hand-clap.

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She said: “I’m going out and I’ll play ‘Scotland the Brave’ and probably some other tunes as well.

“Last week the applause for workers was very rousing so I took the pipes out into the street and just marched up and down.

“I couldn’t believe how well it was received.

“Everyone seemed to love it and lots of NHS staff have seen the video as well. It was great.

“I think because it’s Scotland’s national instrument, this is like a big thank you from Scotland to all the people here and around the world who are doing so much to help us through the pandemic.”

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Meanwhile, down south, former Downing Street aide Alastair Campbell, a pupil of Mr MacDonald’s, will be blasting out ‘Scotland the Brave’ across the streets of London.

Pipers based in other countries around the world, from Canada to India and Japan, have also expressed their intentions to join in.

Other musicians are planning to accompany the pipers with fiddles and accordions.

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