When the Pipers Play tells the story of the Great Highland Bagpipes, and money from sales goes to support today’s Armed Forces community.
A new history of the Great Highland Bagpipes in battle is raising money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. When the Pipers Play: A History of the Great Highland Warpipes was written by author and filmmaker Patrick King. It follows the military piper through centuries of conflict, drawing on original research, interviews and veterans’ own accounts. Among them is the last surviving piper to have played in battle. Together they show how the pipes rallied troops and carried tradition onto battlefields around the world.
The book looks at the pipes as an instrument of war in Scottish, Irish and Commonwealth forces. It also pays tribute to military pipers as keepers of a living tradition, carrying the deeds of earlier generations forward in regimental music.
Patrick knows that world from the inside. He served as a British Army reservist with the Pipes and Drums of the 51st Highland Volunteers and the London Scottish Regiment, and the book builds on his award-winning documentaries Instrument of War and When the Pipers Play.
He has gifted copies of the book to SSAFA, so every penny from the sale of those copies goes to the charity. The money funds practical, emotional and financial support for serving personnel, veterans and their families, helping make sure they never have to battle alone.
Jenny King, SSAFA’s Head of Corporate Engagement, said: “For generations, the military piper has embodied courage, service, and remembrance. That makes this a powerful and fitting book to support the Armed Forces family.
“We’re hugely grateful to Patrick, because each copy bought will help us stand alongside the entire military community – serving or former, and their families, regardless of regiment or rank, ship or squadron – whenever they need us.”
Patrick added: “My family has supported SSAFA as long as I can remember, so it was natural for me to donate my book to this excellent charity. I want people to enjoy reading not only about the bagpipes, this unique musical instrument of war, but the incredible stories of courage by individuals in the face of adversity.”
When the Pipers Play: A History of the Great Highland Warpipes is available in hardback for £18.25 from the SSAFA Shop.
