Writing to the Piping Times in 1969, F. C. MacColl Botly, a man in charge of a number of English competitions, said: “Women pipers can, in their own field, be quite competent and a pleasure to listen to, but there is no common ground with men.”
Some argued that a lady should strive for elegance and that playing the instrument would only make her look ugly.
Others saw a woman wearing the traditional bagpiper’s attire as a caricature of male musicians.
Women pipers can, in their own field, be quite competent and a pleasure to listen to, but there is no common ground with men.”
– F.C. MacColl Botly, to the Piping Times in 1969.
Nevertheless, our very own Ladies’ Pipe Bands kept proudly playing. See pictures of their performances below: