Hundreds of bagpipers across the country are expected to pay a special Scottish thank you to the NHS and key workers fighting against coronavirus.
The National Piping Centre has put out a call for pipers to band together and play a rendition of Scotland the Brave to pay thanks to those working tirelessly on the Covid-19 frontline.
Dubbed ‘Pipe Up For Key Workers’, pipers across Scotland will play from windows, balconies, front doors, living rooms and gardens – wherever is socially distant and safe – at 8pm on Thursday 2nd April.
Finlay MacDonald, director of Scotland’s National Piping Centre, called for pipers to take part in the special tribute in a social media video.
He said: “We’re calling all pipers around the world to get their pipes out this Thursday and stand in their doorway or at their window and play Scotland the Brave once through in honour of all the key emergency staff and all the key workers that are keeping us safe and well through this Covid-19 pandemic.”
Pipe Up For Key Workers! Join us at 8pm BST on Thursday 2nd April and play Scotland The Brave! Full details at our event https://t.co/XMoqt829hc pic.twitter.com/RspCW6X4JT
— The National Piping Centre (@ThePipingCentre) March 30, 2020
Finlay told The Scotsman the idea came from the Clap For Our Carers campaign, which saw Scotland erupt in applause last Thursday to show appreciation for the doctors, nurses, paramedics and carers fighting the pandemic.
He said: “I went out and did the round of applause with my family last week, and it was very emotional. I think that’s the sort of thing we all need at this time. We just thought this would be a really special way to show our gratitude.”
The Lord Provost’s piper, Louise Marshall, who has previously performed for the Pope and the Queen will be playing Scotland the Brave in Edinburgh, while former Downing Street aide Alastair Campbell will be treating the streets of London to his rendition of the tune.
Accordion and fiddle players are expected to join in, and pipers in Canada, India and Japan have said they will be celebrating from the windows of their countries.
Those on the frontline are risking their lives and working long and strenuous hours to help those affected by the virus.
There are nationwide concerns about the lack of mass testing of NHS staff for Covid-19 and that there are short supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for key workers.
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