Well, they were originally used as a psychological warfare tactic against viking invaders.Ryan wrote:
Bagpipes are so loud and annoying. Worst instrument ever.
Imagine it; you walk into a village after getting off the longboat. There's nobody around, the whole place is just empty and abandoned. So, you start looting and pillaging, burning a few huts, then this godawful noise starts from over the hills, and starts getting louder. Then this rank of guys with pipes come over the hill, and then naked men painted blue, screaming obscenities, foaming at the mouth, and swinging 6' long swords charge down the hill past them and straight at you.
Then in the days of the empire, we used them in a similar way against invaders. Scots in the middle piping, troops on the outside firing in ranks, and bayoneting anyone who gets too close.
Wonderful instrument, I just can't stand listening to it for very long. Viking genes, inherent fear of the damn things.