I think bagpipes are great. Not in an ironic, "Hey, lets love the weird wheezy instrument because it's simultaneously ear-splitting and ridiculous" way, but because I honestly find them powerful and amazing.
Which is why I've been going to the Highland Games in the gorgeous Skagit Valley for quite a few years now. I am not Scottish. There is just something indescribably beautiful about watching and hearing full bagpipe bands march onto the field of competition.
Between getting some funny tan lines and listening to the sheep chomp away in the evening, we picked up some tayberries (a cross between raspberries and blackberries), drank more iced coffee than I thought was possible, and marveled at how a single golden day can seem to epitomize everything that makes summer great.
I really love these photos, so summery.... !
ReplyDeleteI've gotta try me one of them tayberries.
ReplyDeleteI too love bagpipes. Especially when played en masse, they make me quite teary. Just like watching the Maori kapahaka groups perform - I find it really moving.
ReplyDeletemakes me miss summer even more. the berries look amazing.
ReplyDeleteMy Scottish boyfriend has a great saying. In Scotland, a gentleman is defined as "someone who knows how to play the bagpipes... but doesn't."
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