NEWS: Pipe down

By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
August 25, 2008

ONE of the Capital's best-known bagpipers has called for a licensing scheme for buskers after pipers on the Royal Mile were threatened with Asbos.

Pipe Major Iain Grant said something had to be done to prevent piping buskers tarnishing the image of the Highland soldier.

The bagpiper, who provides entertainment for guests travelling onboard the luxury Royal Scotsman charter train from Waverley Station, spoke ahead of a new TV commercial for National Express featuring his likeness.

The company has used Pipe Major Grant as the inspiration for a new advert, featuring a two-inch mustachioed piper playing a bagpipe melody at Edinburgh Castle.

But the musician claims the traditional image of the piper risks being upstaged by the furore surrounding loud pipe music on the streets of the Capital.

He said: "These guys are playing in shifts. It can often be four hours of incessant lone piping, so I can see how it could get on people's nerves.

"Other pipers can take in over GBP 100 a time, which is quite a bit of cash, so I don't think paying some money for a licence would be out of the question."

He added: "The performers are representing the city and representing the image of the Highland soldier and, as such, they have to be smart and presentable, but at the moment anyone is allowed to play."

It is understood that police believe a licensing scheme would be unworkable as it could only operate with the consent of residents and licences would be revoked the minute the first complaint arrived.

Pipe Major Grant's likeness appears in the new TV commercial, which uses stop-frame animation and takes place in a specially designed miniature world.

Anita Webster, National Express' east coast campaigns manager, said: "The bagpiper player in full Highland dress is one of Scotland's most iconic images.

"Pipe Major Iain Grant was the perfect role model for our new TV advert given his long association with the railway, particularly the east coast route.

"He is a well-known, popular character and represents everything that is traditional yet fun about Scotland, making it such an interesting destination to visit by train."

A well-known face around the world, Pipe Major Grant has 40 years experience in the entertainment and wedding industry and is the Honorary Pipe Major to the 79th New York Highlanders.

Throughout the summer he can be seen at the Waverley station twice a week as he provides entertainment for guests travelling onboard the luxury Royal Scotsman charter train.