Skip to content

Bagpipe ban has Scots fuming

The decision to ban bagpipes from Rugby World Cup stadia has prompted a strongly-worded letter from the Scottish parliament, but are they full of hot air?

AGGRIEVED SCOTTISH PIPERS have succesfully petitioned their national parliament to help overturn the Rugby World Cup’s blanket ban on bagpipes.

The “musical” instruments, deemed an unwelcome distraction for players, officials and fans alike, are nonetheless a mainstay of Scottish support, and it’s on that basis that the Scottish Minister for Sport, Shona Robison, has decided to intervene.

According to a report by STV, the minister has sent tournament organisers a letter asking them to rethink their stance.

News of the communiqué will come as a relief to a number of fans, including Matthew Strachan, a GP from Aboyne.

“What is a touring piper supposed to do with his pipes when refused entry to a stadium? I would not have bought as many tickets to other games had I known, because as a piper, rugby games to me have always included my pipes.”

Strachan himself has made formal complaints to both tournament officials and John Key, the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Read more about the plight of Scottish pipers at STV>

Murph’s Sideline Cut: a fitting conclusion to a marvellous summer>

Explained: how Ron Artest became Metta World Peace>

Vamos! Barca win big, Real show relegation form>

Close
Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The One & Only
    Favourite The One & Only
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 2:57 PM

    Sorry but they should be hung drawn and quartered it’s like the quick line out last year

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tensing Norgay
    Favourite Tensing Norgay
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 3:31 PM

    Pearson and Merit , just dosen’t fit together ,What about his yellow card recommedation? and its not just the wales match , this guy has form, im just not sure if he is unfair or totally incompetent ?

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Rodgers
    Favourite Colin Rodgers
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 4:47 PM

    Probably both…

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin McGuinness
    Favourite Gavin McGuinness
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 6:21 PM

    Once again the IRB are standing behind their refs. Makes my blood boil really. I’m going to be extremely pumped for this match tomorrow and with Dave Pearson taking charge, there is going to be more emotion than ever.
    I have a good feeling about this game. Let’s take it to them!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraig McKeon
    Favourite Padraig McKeon
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 6:16 PM

    Have no problem with that actually as in real time and from where he was standing, it looked like a penalty ( I was in the South Stand and I thought it was a penalty) but will they say the same about the Davies call…

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Mc Keown
    Favourite Colin Mc Keown
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 5:16 PM

    there should not have been an english ref for a game with an english team !!!!!!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emmet Galvin
    Favourite Emmet Galvin
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 5:49 PM

    What English team?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Carroll
    Favourite Peter Carroll
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 6:15 PM

    I wouldn’t repeat that to a Welshman if I were you!!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Mc Keown
    Favourite Colin Mc Keown
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 7:58 PM

    England , Wales, Scotland, all the same army, curency, same queen, they shouldnt have the advantage of one of their own as a ref for the ireland game !!!!!! prob related to half the welsh team !!!!!!!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Mulligan
    Favourite Niall Mulligan
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 9:12 PM

    *facepalm* Are you just trolling or plain thick?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian O' Brien
    Favourite Brian O' Brien
    Report
    Feb 10th 2012, 10:33 PM

    Ah hear now your turning into one of them.

    2
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nivag Yeoh
    Favourite Nivag Yeoh
    Report
    Feb 11th 2012, 9:57 AM

    …..errrr…..

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Mc Keown
    Favourite Colin Mc Keown
    Report
    Feb 14th 2012, 5:23 PM

    Niall just pointing out the facts ! what nationalities are you ????????

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.