Guitars add new twist to bagpipes tradition

MARION VAN DIJK/Nelson Mail

GREAT SCOTS: Bass guitarist Callum Gilchrist, left, and his brother Jayden perform at the Spirit of Scotland concert at the Nelson School of Music on Saturday.

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The bagpipes may not be everyone's cup of tea but for those at the School of Music on Saturday, they certainly hit the right note.

The City of Nelson Highland Pipe Band played two shows to a packed hall, performing a mix of traditional and contemporary tunes that had the crowd hollering with delight.

Callum Gilchrist, 16, who has been playing the bagpipes for about five years, was delighted with the way the shows went.

"Just the whole atmosphere, the crowd, there was a whole lot of hoo-ha."

He particularly enjoyed the positivity of the band throughout the day, and the way they managed to incorporate a wide range of modern instruments into the shows.

At one stage Callum put down the pipes and picked up the bass guitar for a performance of Lachland McPhail Tiree.

Callum and his brother Jayden, 19, who played lead guitar for Lachland McPhail Tiree but was usually on the side drum, wrote the solo and additional music for the piece.

Callum said mixing the traditional bagpipes with instruments such as the guitar and bass was challenging as they had different keys, but it was worth the effort.

"It works quite well."

Callum's and Jayden's father, Bryce Gilchrist, attended the evening show and said it was lots of fun.

"The band performed really well and had great variety of guest artists, which helped a lot."

Mr Gilchrist also enjoyed the opportunity to taste some of the finest in Scottish cuisine.

"I'm quite partial to haggis, I don't mind a piece."

- © Fairfax NZ News