The Importance of Poet Robert Burns to the modern Bagpiper

Although bagpipes today are most closely associated with Scotland, the bagpipe is actually of Middle Eastern origination. The initial purpose was to serve as a call to worship, but it was only after the instrument traveled via caravan to different parts of the world that it became known for so many different purposes of today.
Bagpipe playing is probably most closely associated with Scotland, as that country adopted this musical instrument and made it their own. It might accompanying troops into battle so the playing of the pipes could help build courage, or it might appear at a funeral to pipe the departed soul into heaven with a plaintive tune such as Amazing Grace, or it might be found at a wedding as a joyous ballad. One other reason it is so closely associated with Scotland is because of their most famous poet, Robert Burns. He was responsible for writing many songs specifically for the bagpipe, and he ended up donating more than 300 such songs to the Scots Musical Museum.
Even today many events feature the bagpipe player and bagpipe music, including the annual Robert Burns' birthday fetes to honor the renowned Scottish poet. His birthday on January 25th is celebrated all over the world, where many a bagpiper plays while glasses are lifted in toasts to the glory of this famous Scot who wrote poems and songs, indulged in excess with both women and drink, and is still remembered centuries after his death at the early age of 37 in 1796.
If you are lucky, you might be able to attend one of these celebrations with its Scottish food, Scottish poems, and classic bagpiping of one of those more than 300 compositions he contributed and which are still played today.
The availability of good piping is found in many areas of the world today, helped in part by the popularity of Renaissance Faires. It is so readily available that people who live in California, from San Francisco and San Jose, to Fremont and Napa Sonoma wine country, can enjoy the musical renditions or bagpipers frequently. One famous celebration is hosted by the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton CA which has the largest Gathering of the Clans and Highland Games in the entire world !.
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The Highland Games are Closer Than you Think!

When you hear the words Highland Games, what comes to mind? If you have ever been lucky enough to attend a gathering of the Scottish Clans during one of their annual Highland Games, you will undoubtedly picture bagpipers wearing their dress kilts, competitive dancers doing the Highland Fling, and exotic fare such as bangers and enormous turkey legs. But do you think of Bagpipers from Sacramento, Walnut Creek, Dublin or the Napa/ Sonoma Area? Probably not, but you should!
The largest Highland Games and Clan gathering in the world just happens to take place at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA during the Labor Day Weekend of September 1st and 2nd, 2012.
People come from all over the San Francisco Bay area, and even from out of state to watch the Bagpipe players, the costumed parades, the sheep trials for sheepdogs, eat the exotic foods from Scotland, the UK and Ireland, and shop for treasures from the same countries.
One of the highlights of the games is seeing the many bagpipers from all over the Bay Area show their proficiency at playing the pipes. If you love bagpipe music for your personal pleasure, many of these bagpipe players are from Sacramento, Walnut Creek, Dublin, or even the Napa Sonoma region and can be hired to play at your wedding, anniversary celebration, or even at such a sad occasion as a funeral.
Bagpipers play such an extraordinary range of music, from a rousing march to a dirge or a classic such as Amazing Grace.
So don't feel sad when your day at the Fairgrounds is over, just be reassured that you can hire a professional bagpipe player well after the end of the Highland Games and Gathering of the Clans. And when it comes right down to it, I bet you associate the playing of bagpipes more with the Highland Games than the tossing of the caber!
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Bagpipers at the Scottish Highland Games in Pleasanton September 1-2, 2012

Prepare yourself for bagpipe heaven as the Caledonian Club of San Francisco brings the 147th annual Scottish Highland Gathering and Games to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in the Pleasanton/Dublin CA area Sept. 1st and 2nd, 2012, over the Labor Day Weekend.
Here you can see up to 25 pipe bands marching with their best bagpipers dressed in kilts made from the famous plaids of Scotland. Watch the parade which may well include Mary Queen of Scots and her arch rival Queen Elizabeth I. Treat yourself to the awe-inspiring tossing of the caber (not easy to do as the caber is nearly the size of a telephone pole!), feast on treats from the UK including bangers and mash, giant roast turkey legs, fish and chips, and much more. And then shop for wonders from Scotland, Ireland and England.
Didn't make it to the Olympics in London this year? This is the next best thing, and a whole lot cheaper. It's a very manageable trip for folks from most Northern California towns, such as Walnut Creek or Concord, or even Napa and Sonoma counties or Sacramento.
Many people buy the two day pass just to make sure they see it all, from the kilted bagpipers to the highland cattle, Clydesdale horses and sheep dog herding, Highland Fling dancers and Renaissance players offering a wide variety of entertainment.
Gates open at 8 a.m. and there are several large parking lots surrounding the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Bring your energy and your love of bagpipers and all things Scottish, and be prepared to have an amazing time.
When you are tired and finally ready to leave but feel sad, be aware that some of the bagpipers you see here are available for hire for your birthday, anniversary, family reunion or any other celebration you might be having (see www.FredPayneBagpiper.com for example). Just imagine what a unique and fun time you can give your guests who are not lucky enough to be there this year at the Highland Games.
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