The two bagpipe players, Ramon Allen and Les Williams both from Paarl, entertained the residents of Oude Renbaan Estate and offered them a close-up view of the Great Highland (Scottish) Bagpipe.
Many of the residents commented that they had never seen the bagpipes being played other than in TV documentaries and words cannot explain the experience that they had seen and felt.
Some also mentioned that they had fallen in love with the live sound of this instrument. How could anything sound this perfect? A spectator suggested that if she had known about the Great Highland Bagpipe then, she would have married to the sound of the Highlands. She furthermore looked at a resident standing alongside her and, giggling, proposed – asking him to marry her on condition that he the pipers would play.
Allen and Williams opened the show playing “Highland Cathedral”. After the excited response from Oude Renbaan residents for more, they played two more traditional tunes, one being the traditional “Scotland the Brave”.
Then they further entertained the crowd with a South African traditional tune, “Sarie Marais”. This, too, had the 130 spectators mesmerised.
Allen explained the latter tune was in fact Scottish. The words, however, were South African.
He then further explained how bagpipes work. As by name, there are five wooden pipes connected to a bag. Williams explained how each “wooden pipe” made a different sound, but all complementing each other. So fascinating in its simplicity.
The two pipers then played another selection of tunes. Their expertise was amazing. All tunes, they explained, were played from memory.
They were asked as to how they remember the tunes so as to play so well together. A one word answer was given – practice.
Allen then stepped forward and, answering to the well-known question “What’s worn under the kilt?” he answered with a smile, “. . . nothing.”
Allen then continued to explain the origin of the kilt among the Highlanders of Scotland. The two pipers ended their display with more favourites. “Mull of Kintyre”, “Amazing Grace” and “Flower of Scotland”.
“What a real privilege it was to listen to these two maestros playing the Great Highland Bagpipe,” said residents.
