Abernethy Highland Games

The bagpipe is so closely associated with Scotland that many people think that it must have been invented here. In fact, many forms of bagpipe are played worldwide, and the pìob mhór, the great bagpipe of Scotland and Ireland, only grew in importance as the power of the old bardic harpers declined in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The bagpipe soon came to hold a unique place in Highland society, and no occasion, from birth to death, was regarded as properly conducted without a piper to play. So much was the bagpipe regarded as an essential part of Highland culture that it was for a long time outlawed in the repressive actions taken against the Highlanders after the Battle of Culloden.

The Pipe Bands, so much loved by natives and visitors alike, became popular towards the end of the 19th century. An invention of the British Army, whose intention it was that the recruited Highlanders should look and sound terrifyingly impressive, the bands grew to have a widespread popular appeal all over Scotland. The March Past of the Massed Bands is always a highlight of the Games, when an impressive array of around 160 pipers and drummers take to the field. We hope that as you thrill to this fantastic sound, you might smile at the thought that early attempts to make pipers and drummers play together resulted in fighting, as pipers and drummers refused to listen to each other! The massed bands will march round the ground three times during the afternoon at approx. 13.00, 14.45 and 16.45 to give everybody a chance to see and hear this fine spectacle.

What is uniquely Scottish in the music of the pipes is Ceol Mor, the ‘Great Music’, the classical music of the pipes. In its exploration of the tension between the apparently complex and the inherently simple, Gaelic bagpipe music stands as one of the wonders of European art music. Fortunately, much of this music has been preserved over the centuries and continues to be developed as part of a living tradition with new compositions being added to broaden the piper’s repertoire. Ceòl Mòr, or Pibroch as it is also called, consists of a simple air, or ground, to which are added variations of increasing complexity, often using beautiful pentatonic scales. Pibroch is regarded by many as a musical equivalent of Celtic Knotwork. As the variations become more complex, the piper’s technical and musical abilities are tested to the limit. It is said that a good player can create the impression that there are ripples of notes hanging in the air around him.

Every year there are more women pipers coming forward on Games Day. In truth, there have always been women who were able players, and there are legends of pipers going to wise women to receive the best of their training. At one time, music and healing skills were thought to be best learned by men from women, and by women from men. Despite hostility at various times from church and state, the bagpipe survived to enjoy a remarkable renaissance. There are now more pipers than ever before, and more people enjoy and understand the music of the pipes.

Part of the very essence of a day at the Games is to enjoy Ceòl Beag, the lighter music of March, Strathspey and Reel which is so distinctively part of the Scottish musical heritage. Whether played by a young novice appearing at his or her first competition, or by one of the old masters, there are tunes for everyone to enjoy – especially when played with the traditional ‘lift’.

The well-established and popular Open Solo and Junior Solo Drumming Competitions run alongside the longstanding Piping Events of the Games whose competitors, mostly from the participating bands, will be required to play a four-part March of their own choosing under the watchful eyes (and ears) of the judges.

See the Map of the Games Field for location of these various competitions.