WO1 Pipe Major Peter MacGregor of the Army School of Piping and Highland Drumming in Edinburgh brought in the new year last night from Edinburgh Castle.
In what may be his last stint in the role, the Assynt native was in fine form playing high above the Scottish capital amid mild weather. Peter was previously Pipe Major of The Highlanders (4 SCOTS) from 2012–2017.
All major Hogmanay events in Edinburgh were cancelled, as were many other events in towns and cities across the country, due to the ongoing pandemic.
Meanwhile, Bagpipe.news kicks of the new year with this short song of optimism, below. The places mentioned are all in Fife:
The tune, Hey Ca’ Thro’, is believed to be a Lowland/Border pipe-tune. The words, “Ca’ thro” was the cry from a fishing boat approaching a crowded shore and would have heard most days along the coast in Burns’ time.
A guid new year to you … lang may yer lum reek!
| Hey, Ca’ Thro’ | Hey, Knock Through or Hey, Work Away |
| Up wi’ the carls of Dysart And the lads o’ Buckhaven, And the kimmers o’ Largo And the lasses o’ Leven! Hey, ca’ thro’, ca’ thro’, For we hae mickle ado! Hey, ca’ thro’, ca’ thro’, For we hae mickle ado! We hae tales to tell, And we hae sangs to sing; We hae pennies to spend. And we hae pints to bring. Hey, ca’ thro’, ca’ thro’, For we hae mickle ado! Hey, ca’ thro’, ca’ thro’, For we hae mickle ado! We’ll live a’ our days, And them that comes behin’, Let them do the like And spend the gear they win! Hey, ca’ thro’, ca’ thro’, For we hae mickle ado! Hey, ca’ thro’, ca’ thro’, For we hae mickle ado! | Up with the old men of Dysart And the lads of Buckhaven, And the gossips of Largo And the girls of Leven! Hey, work away, work away, For we have much to do! Hey, work away, work away, For we have much to do! We have tales to tell, And we have songs to sing; We have pennies to spend. And we have pints to bring. Hey, work away, work away, For we have much to do! Hey, work away, work away, For we have much to do! We will live all our days, And them that comes behind, Let them do the like (same) And spend the wealth they win (earn)! Hey, work away, work away, For we have much to do! Hey, work away, work away, For we have much to do! |
