In a hint of light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, a leading bagpipe manufacturer returned to full production yesterday.
McCallum Bagpipes, based in Kilmarnock, Scotland, said in a statement: “We are back. In line with Scottish Government advice, we are in full production from today …. It’s been a long haul but we are happy to say that nobody in the McCallum team has been ill with this horrible virus. We hope it’s been the same for you, health has to be the priority.”
Currently, visitors to the premises will be one person at a time with all social distancing requirements observed.
I am sure you will all join everyone at Bagpipe.News in welcoming McCallums and all the other manufacturing and piping businesses a lasting and successful return to business.
Meanwhile, as we gradually – in the United Kingdom, at least – ease out of lockdown, the question on everyone’s lips is: what will piping and the pipe band world look like in a world with Covid-19?
The question is the subject of an online discussion organised this Thursday (July 2) by Strathallan School, an independent boarding school based in Perthshire, Scotland.
Craig Muirhead, the school’s Director of Piping and Drumming, will chair a panel that includes John Hughes (RSPBA Chairman) and Dr Robert Gray, a respiratory specialist (and a piper).
Alison Duthie, Strathallan’s Marketing Secretary, tells us that the uptake has so far been very good, particularly from those involved with teaching piping and drumming. The discussion will take place on zoom and last between one hour and one-and-a-half hours.
Topics are dependent on questions put forward. Questions can be sent in until Wednesday afternoon to Alison at marketingsecretary@strathallan.co.uk
