Telegraph - Pipers are curbed by safety code

Soldiers learning to play the bagpipes have been told to limit their practice sessions to only 24 minutes a day, or 15 minutes when indoors.

Pipers will also have to wear ear plugs under the new guidelines brought in by health and safety officials.

The advice, aimed at preventing soldiers from suffering hearing problems, was issued after a study by the Army Medical Directorate environmental health team.

Soldiers are also being advised to avoid combat situations since the loud noises may cause temporary ringing in their ears, making it necessary for them to shout when they speak, which is annoying to other people.

Bagpipes have played a crucial role in Scottish regiments, which have traditionally been led into battle by kilted pipers.

Davy Garrett, who played the pipes in the Army for 12 years and now runs a piping school, said: “This is just another example of the nanny state and one that I am very concerned could ruin the future of piping in Scotland.”

Bill Lark, 85, a Black Watch piper who led his comrades into action against the Japanese in 1944, said the rules were “ridiculous”.

He said: “The pipes should be played loudly. That’s how they inspire soldiers and scare the enemy.”

A spokesman for the Army in Scotland said the rules were a “prudent precaution”.

Lord, very prudent. I mean, it isn’t as thought the Scottish people have managed to do anything like continue as a culture and defend the same borders since 843. I mean, how could they have done any of that when their bagpipes can get to 111 decibels. That’s slightly louder than a pneumatic drill!

The Telegraph - The pipes fall silent

It is hardly surprising that soldiers are no longer permitted to practise the bagpipes for any length of time. Health and safety is becoming the chief purpose of the Armed Forces. Our troops may not fire loud guns too often, nor be exposed to harrowing sights.

Yet we are losing a brave and noble tradition. For hundreds of years, the skirl of the pipes has inspired our men and struck fear into our enemies.

Some pipers have carried on playing in extraordinary circumstances: George Findlater at Dargai in 1897, Daniel Laidlaw at Loos in 1915 and the Canadian James Richardson at the Somme in 1916 are among those who won the Victoria Cross for playing while injured and under heavy fire.

What these men would say about the cowardice and officiousness of the latest ruling doesn’t bear thinking about.

I guess killing the Highland Regiments the other month wasn’t enough. Soon they’ll be banning tartans and the Gaelic language, I imagine.

Date: Jul 24th, 2006 · Comments RSS · Tags: Art and Literature