BAFF logo British Armed Forces Federation - Representing the Professionals

    

  Archived page - no updates

The Pipers' Trail 2008

Pipers' Trail banner

The Pipers' Trail started in Lerwick, Shetland and ended in Edinburgh in late July 2008. The stage adaptation of "Jamie's Story", which has been performed in towns and cities the length of Scotland as part of the Pipers' Trail, is now showing as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Pipers' Trail – Jamie's Story is on at 11am at the Musical Theatre on George Square, until August 17. Entry is free.

latest news

Army is 'force for good'

The commander of the Army in Scotland, Brigadier David Allfrey, has said he wants to rebuild the force's "partnership" with society.
 
The brigadier has commissioned a play called the Pipers' Trail, which follows a boy's journey of self-discovery as he learns about the Army.

Propaganda? Army stages offensive on Black Watch


(8 August) It is the kind of opening few festival audiences will have experienced.

"You will find it slightly bizarre to find an Army officer introducing a Fringe show," Brigadier David Allfrey acknowledged yesterday as he welcomed the audience to the latest military-inspired play to hit the Edinburgh Fringe.

Equally odd, given the on-going controversy and concern surrounding the Army, was the festival programme description of The Pipers' Trail as a show "packed with music and magic for anyone who wants to feel good about life".

There is a lot riding on it. The Army has spent a massive £270,000 - almost all its £300,000 a year marketing budget - on the play. It has more than paid off, reaching more than four million people through audiences and media coverage - although it garnered a mixed response yesterday...

A cast of actors and dancers, plus a couple of genuine soldiers playing the pipes and drums, tell the story of a fictional and slightly troubled Scottish teenager, Jamie, who journeys from Shetland to Glasgow to play in the world piping championships.
Along the way ... Jamie meets a former soldier who helps him to learn the six core Army values including courage, discipline and respect...

Pipers blaze a trail up the Royal Mile


THE Royal Mile will ring to the sound of a hundred bagpipes tomorrow [Saturday 26 July] as the Pipers' Trail marks the end of a 470-mile odyssey.

The procession, organised to forge closer links between the Army and the community, has cut a trail right across Scotland since leaving Lerwick on June 17.

As the Golden Lions parachutists drop from the sky into Holyrood Park, the procession of military and amateur pipers and drummers will pass from Holyrood Palace up the Royal Mile to St Giles' Cathedral, while giant searchlight beams form a saltire over the Castle.

The military musicians will pass through Holyrood Park before meeting their civilian counterparts and leaving the Palace at 11.30am for the full parade. The day culminates with a free pipe and drum display and a theatrical performance at the Ross Bandstand at 6pm.

The event will draw to a close on Sunday [27 July] with a thanksgiving service at St Giles' at 11.30am.

more stories

Army launches The Pipers' Trail

(MOD) A unique musical journey, known as 'The Pipers' Trail', which will visit communities the length and breadth of Scotland this summer, has been launched in Glasgow today, Tuesday 13 May 2008.

The Pipers' Trail is a celebration of the Army's links with Scotland through music, culture and tradition and will consist of a number of musical events and workshops.

It sets off from Shetland on 17 June and will form a major part of the centenary celebrations for the Territorial Army as it travels through Scotland over the course of six weeks in June and July.
 
Pipers and drummers will make a journey of more than 470 miles (756 kilometres) with each mile piped by an individual soldier until the end of the route in Edinburgh. People of all ages and abilities will be invited to join in and enjoy the various performances and events at each location along the way.

The Trail will visit towns and cities across Scotland including: Lerwick 17-18 June, Kirkwall 19-20 June, Wick 21 June, Inverness 23–28 June, Aberdeen 23-29 June, Dundee 30 June-6 July, Perth 7-10 July, Stirling 7-13 July, Ayr 14-17 July, Glasgow 14-20 July and Edinburgh 21-27 July.

Source: MOD Defence News: Army launches 'The Pipers' Trail'

'How to get involved with The Pipers' Trail'

(Source: Pipers' Trail website)

"We want you to be a part of The Pipers' Trail as it makes its way across Scotland this summer! There are several different ways to get involved:

Walk a mile on the Trail.
You can be a part of The Pipers’ Trail by joining us for a mile along the route. Individuals and bands are all welcome to join in the trail. More info >

Join a Piping and Drumming Workshop
Piping and drumming workshops will be happening in your area - whether you are a beginner or at a more advanced level, everyone is welcome.  More info >

Come and watch The Pipers' Trail Show
Come out and see The Pipers' Trail as it parades through your local town, and watch the Pipers' Trail Show.   More info >