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Kinnaird Bagpipes Newsletter |
Apr 2017 |
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News
The Lake Diefenbaker Pipe Band School is now accepting applications. This year, the school will be held at a new location, Queen's House of Retreat in Saskatoon, SK, July 23-28th.
Pipe Bands
Most products are eligible for quantity discounts! Ask us for quotes!
Chanters, Drone Reeds, Drum Sticks, Highland Dress, etc.
US customers- Save Now! The exchange rate offers about 25% discount!
*Please note that the exchange rate is constantly changing and exact exchange rate at time of purchase may vary.
Canadian Customers-
Save now! Shopping in US currency means about 25% premium on all products. Landed Canadian prices, mean savings!
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Scottish Humour
The handyman had just returned to the farmhouse after finishing the backbreaking job of removing rocks from the field. Mrs. MacDougal, the farmer's wife, decided to thank him for his work, and handed him a drink of Scotch, saying, "This is the good stuff! It's twenty-five years old!" The handyman, also a pure Scot, looked at his glass and replied, "A bit small for it's age, isn't it?"
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Featured
Kirkin' O' The Tartan
After the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746, the English Parliament banned wearing tartan, speaking Gaelic, Scottish music, dancing, or playing the pipes. Any person caught doing anything of these could be shot on sight, arrested, or exiled to the colonies. This ban lasted for 36 years.
Legend says the Highlanders devised a plan to hide a piece of tartan in their clothing during church. At a set time during the service, they would hold the tartan and bless it. When the Scots were forced to fight for the British Army, it is said that the women would take a piece of their tartan to the Kirk (church) to be blessed and to pray for protection of their clan. Thus came the Scottish celebration known as the Kirkin' O' the Tartan.
Since 1941, the Kirkin' O' the Tartan has been practiced throughout Canada and the U.S. Instead of hiding the tartan, during the ceremony a representative of each clan place pieces of tartan on the church alter to be blessed.
The Kirkin' O' the Tartan services often include processional and recession with bagpipes. Adaptations of Ralph Gunn's prayer are common: "On behalf of all Scots away from Scotland, and in the name of all the Scottish Clansfolk that are here represented, we present these Tartans before Almighty God in appreciation of our Heritage; and we ask His Blessings upon these, His humble servants. O Lord, Thou hast promised that in all places where Thou recordest Thine Holy Name, Thou wilt meet with Thy servants, and bless them; fulfill now Thy Promise, and make us joyful in our prayer, so that our Worship, being offered in the name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, and by the guidance of Thy Holy Spirit, may be acceptable unto You, and profitable unto ourselves. Bless, we pray, these Tartans --- that they may be unto us and unto all people a token of the faith of our Fathers; and a sign of our service unto You. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Celebrate Scottish traditions - show your knees this year, wear a kilt!
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Scottish Trivia
On October 21, 2010, the Minister of Canadian Heritage officially declared April 6 as Tartan Day. It is celebrated on April 6 because it is the anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, the Scottish declaration of independence. In Canada, the day originated in the late 1980s in Nova Scotia, where it was declared an official day by the provincial government. It then spread across the country, with many provinces joining in.
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Product Reviews
Ash Plugs
"No beginning piper should be without these improved Ash Plugs, and even more advanced players may want to keep them as part of their regular set up. Hemp them to be not too tight at first, to quickly and easily pop them in and out to test the effect of using them or not. The thumb screws are so easy to adjust, simply unzip the bag and you can tweak the screw setting and be playing again in under 30 seconds. Surprisingly effective, and for me, an instant improvement on controlling strike-ins and cut-offs."
Don't forget to submit your own product reviews on our website.
Let other customers know what you thought of the products we offer.
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