Bagpipes

Visiting Exeter yesterday afternoon I was plunged into reminisence by the sound of a busking bagpiper opposite the new 'Next' building. Having lived in and around the Glasgow area for over 20 years one became accustomed to busking bagpipers in Buchanan Street and I remember one of them who was somewhat unusual. This was Alejo Rodreiguez who hailed from Beunos Aries and for reasons I never knew, having become interested in the pipes at an early age travelled to Glasgow to enrol in a piping college. Unfortunately for Alejo, the college he enrolled in was not one recognised by the government for funding and Alejo had to make his way in Scotland as best he could by playing on the streets of Glasgow. Bizarrely, he was taken up by a leading figure in the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement and played at their rallies and headed their annual John Maclean march and even appeared at the annual Glencoe commemmoration, so a link was formed between Argentina and what many might regard as one of the more extreme wings of Scottish nationalism. They even clubbed together to by him the full dress jacket and kilt.

As far as I recall Alejo did eventually get regular funding for his course and I suppose has now returned to Argentina, presumably to play for whatever Scottish exile community they have in those parts. It certainly was good to hear the sound of the pipes echoing down the High Street yesterday though.