Love ’em or hate ’em? Readers are black and white about the bagpipes and the contribution of Rundle Mall piper Oliver Matters.
COUNCILLOR ANNE MORAN: I love the bagpiper in the Mall. He is loud but thrilling. Surely if the public like it the traders should love it , after all isn’t the customer the one to please?
IAN “SCOTTY” MCCULLOCH: Of course the Scottish Bagpipes should be allowed in the Rundle Mall.
Whenever we fought a war for the democratic freedom of this country and the rest of Britain, it was the Scottish bagpipers who led the soldiers into battle, and many died playing those pipes as they stood and faced the enemy. It is why the Highland Pipes and Drums generally lead any parades in the UK, Canada, Australia and even in some parts of the USA.
Like it or not, this is our culture: inherited from the Scots, yes, but it is our culture just the same.
FRANK BRAYBON: I think that it is great that Oliver has the courage to bring his bagpipes and his music into the Mall. I have seen and heard him playing, and he is really good.
It adds colour to the Mall, especially with the redevelopment going on.
We need the Mall to be exciting so that people want to come in and see what is on, and then go on to shop.
Get with it retailers. Make use of people like Oliver to promote your businesses and the Mall.
EDWARD J BURGESS: When I was young, I lived next door to a man who insisted on playing the bagpipes every Sunday morning at 8am. Since then, I have detested the bagpipes with a passion. I would probably be willing to pay him to stop playing.
COLIN MCKAY: Should the bagpipes be allowed in Rundle Mall. No, no, no, no, a million times.
ROSEMARY McKAY: Onya Oliver for bringing a bit of culture back to Rundle Mall!
I am sure the early Scottish benefactors and founders of our great institutions here in South Australia. Sir Thomas Elder, for one, brought us The Rotunda in Elder Park which came all the way from Glasgow, as well as the Elder Conservatorium of Music. Then there was Peter Waite, John McDouall Stuart, Robert Barr Smith, and the list goes on. I’m sure they were turning over in their graves at the thought that their beloved bagpipes were banned from Rundle Mall.
It was no coincidence that when this occurred, the gradual decline of Rundle Mall began.
I would respectfully suggest that if The City of Adelaide Pipeband (with Oliver leading it perhaps) be permitted to march proudly down the Mall playing the bagpipes and drums on a regular basis at least once a month, it would surely bring people and prosperity back to the Mall. I know I would.
Then, and only then, can our founding fathers rest in peace once again in the safe knowledge that the dastardly deed has been rectified.
Och aye!
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