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I'm Pipe Major Fergus MacAndrich Lochinvar Gordon (Retired) --- last American-born descendant of the Gordons of Lochinvar, and for more than a century [accordin' to the Mortal Calendar of things] the guardian spirit of Scottish Highland Games enthusiasts everywhere! Oh, ye donna believe me, do ye? Well, 'tis Saint Andrew himself --- patron saint of all Scotland --- who says so! And I'm not one to dispute the word of a patron saint!
Anyway, I'm here to welcome ye to Bagpipers' Paradise --- part of Richard Washington's Blackbeard's Castle homepages, presented by Yahoo!/GeoCities! Here, everything Scottish is paid proper tribute --- specifically, the Great Highland Bagpipe and its related arts and skills.
'Tis estimated that there be almost 400 Bagpipe Bands, and an even greater amount of solo bagpipers, from all over the world.... and eventually, me homepage'll be linked to each and every one of them! In fact, ye can access me Highland Links section right now and see which of your favorite Pipe Bands are ranked among my favorites as well. Also, check out me Guide to the Worlds for a look at Scotland's other legendary bazaar of bagpipe-related bacchanalia, the World Pipe Band Championships!
I'll even share My Own Story with ye, in case ye were wonderin' exactly why I ended up becoming a piping legend AND a Scottish poltergeist! (Oh, don't worry, friends. Ye needn't be too afraid of me. I'm not really the kind of ghost what goes around shouting 'Boo!' at mere Mortals. Oh, no. I'm a good-hearted poltergeist, and we'll leave it at that.)
We're also a primary U.S. supporter of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo! If ye were wonderin' about exactly how we got involved with "the most decorated military display in the world," it all started on March 9, 1999, when I proposed to the EMT Executive Committee the concept of a "Super Massed Pipes and Drums," where every Piper and Drummer from the more than 30 countries who have taken part in the Tattoo over the past half-century would be represented, as part of the 2000 Edinburgh Tattoo! Neat idea, eh?
Well, as I see it, lads and lassies, methinks it be more important that we begin our little site with a few words from Richard Washington himself; and tell ye what else ye can find while ye're here. When we started this site, Richard and I, the idea for it began in the form of a book. We called it Uncle Fergus' Bagpipers' Internet Companion; and, in case ye're confused as to why we had planned to put it together, I've asked the lad to share his introductory remarks here, so ye'll properly figure it all out.
For the littler Scotsfolk in our audience, ye're welcome to sit by the fire as I narrate the tale of "One Piper's Family." I think ye'll enjoy it immensely.
Ye'll also enjoy findin' out wha's new in Uncle Fergus' Newsroom!
And if there be a spirit o' sorts (nae pun intended!) within yer Scottish blood, take ye a peek at my Brief History of the Kirkin' o' the Tartans!
So that's all we have to offer fer ye fer right now. If ye like all that ye see here, please e-mail us and let us know. The addresses are fairly simple: pirate1_power@hotmail.com; blackbeardian@yahoo.com; and blackwolfmmi@aol.com.
Well, there ye are. That'll do it as far as an Introduction is concerned. Have fun explorin', but don't ye go wakin' up Nessie now. Loch Ness can be a beautiful place at times, but it's mighty dangerous when the famous Loch Ness Monster's naptime is interrupted!
Here be some other links I've previously recommended:
"The Scottish Jedi," this fella calls himself. This one ye must see tae believe! Why, I donna believe it meself!
Another of me highly-recommended links tells the incredible true story of Piper George Findlater, V.C. of the Gordon Highlanders! In this one, you'll discover how he managed, despite an incredible injury to his legs, to continue playing his pipes at the height of World War I! 'Tis an incredible tale, one which I guarantee will bring tears to the eyes of even the hardest-boiled Highlander!
Click here for our tribute to Pipe Major Angus MacDonald, one of Scotland's --- and the world's --- most honored Highland Pipers, who died on June 25th, 1999, at the age of 60, after a long struggle against pancreatic cancer.
Click here to remember that verra special day fer all us Gordons: Gordon 2000 @ Huntly!
Royal Insight is a monthly chronicle of the lives of the Windsors as presented from their perspective! Here be the July installment of the Gallery Online, which profiles Her Majesty's Piper himself --- P/M Jim Motherwell, formerly wi' the 1st Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders!
And fer a change o' pace, step into Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's Dark Chambers, home of His Lordship, the Duke of Talisker --- and everyone's favorite 4800-year-old Wizard! [He's certainly mine!] And if ye be in the mood fer a country hoedown, visit Blackbeard's Castle's newest tenant --- Old Man Fiddler!
April 6th, 2003 marks the Sixth Annual "Tartan Day in America," the yearly celebration that honors the achievements of Scots and Scottish-Americans who helped these United States become what they are today! For those in New York, Tartan Day 2002 was verra special indeed! Want to know more? Click here to visit the Official ScottishPower Tunes of Glory New York 2002 homepage! When ye're done, click here for me Special Report on all that happened; or click here for me recap of the Tartan Day 2001 events; or click here tae visit the National Tartan Day Celebration Official Homepage; or just click here to read the U.S. Senate resolution that started it all!
Well, fer those o' ye who needed to know who did all that honkin' and bangin' on that grand day during New York City's greatest Parade, know, then, by thunder, that ye've come tae the right homepage --- because only me Bagpipers' Paradise would dare to bring ye the complete list o' Pipe Band participants from all over the tri-state area (and beyond) --- some of whom are featured on me Highland Links segment! Plus, we've linked to some of the top St. Patrick's Day events nationwide, in case ye're in the mood tae make yer plans fer the Big Green Day 2003! Click here fer me special 2002 St. Patrick's Day Pipe Band Listing!
And if ye'd like to check out the means whereby the good folks who run Midtown Manhattan's famous Empire State Building celebrated their St. Patrick's Day this year, ye'd do well to click here! (And no jokes about King Kong wearin' green, please!)
And click here for some special warnings fer those o' ye who happen to be happily married Pipers with children and families!
But if ye want to see a REALLY cool St. Patrick's Day Parade homepage, click here!
To those o' ye who have new or updated URLs, please inform the Paradise of yer new locations as soon as possible. Taking notes on new URLs is one thing, but navigatin' through 'em --- that be something totally different, says I!
And click here for the full text of Her Majesty the Queen's remarks from that memorable mornin', July 1st, 1999 --- when she officially opened Scotland's first Parliament in over 300 years!
By the way, ye be Highlander-in-spirit No.
to give a honk to me Bagpipers' Paradise!
This
Scottish Sites Web Ring site is owned by P/M Fergus MacAndrich Lochinvar Gordon (Retired).
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?1997 pirate1_power@hotmail.com