FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-039

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (March 10, 2026) – This issue of Fun with Maps celebrates a Scottish music tradition.

INTERNATIONAL BAGPIPE DAY

A week from now the day will belong to the Irish, but today is Scotland’s spotlight as we celebrate International Bagpipe Day.

Although the sound is associated most closely with the Scots, the woodwind instrument dates back to Egyptian times and was used in ancient Greece and Rome.  In fact, Nero was quite a piper so he may have played the bagpipe while Rome burned instead of the fiddle.

The “drone” is the long continuous note that you hear, and the melody is played on the pipe part which is called the chanter.

An instrument associated with warfare; the bagpipe was originally used to scare off the enemy.  Today the sonorous tone is associated with mourning of fallen heroes and is often played at memorial ceremonies for police and fire fighters as well as the military. Amazing Grace.

Teesdale’s map of Scotland is presented here.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.