Let’s pipe up with stirring tune for fans and players
A renowned piper has composed a tune to inspire Scotland players and fans during their euro 24 adventure.
Kenny MacKenzie, 61, has created the stirring The Tartan Army’s March after UEFA decreed Scotland fans piper will be able to support their team by playing the bagpipes in stadiums.
Instruments have been limited at UEFA fixtures since the 2010 FIFA world Cup in South Africa, when the consistent hum of the vuvuzela was heard. But restrictions have now been loosened.
The piper told The record: “The Tartan Army’s March has proved very popular with musicians since it was introduced on social media.
“My hope is to have many pipers play this tune at home and in Germany for the euros in June.”
Kenny was recently nominated at the Traditional awards in the Scottish composer of the year category. He performed on Toyota Pipes and drums’ Amazing Grace album – one of the bestselling pipe band albums of all time.
The Tartan Army’s March, which has accompanying lyrics, has been endorsed by Finlay Macdonald, of The national Piping Centre in Glasgow as “a great way of bringing pipers, drummers of all levels together and also reaching the wider community with a sense of togetherness.”
He said: “Pipe music has a long, deep association with football and is seen around the world as a unique pairing.”
Kenny has applied for funding from Creative Scotland to record the track, which he hopes will be approved.
The design architect from Glasgow, said: “If the funding gets approved it will be recorded and released in the first week of June.
“with the news that the pipes can now get taken into stadiums I’m hoping that pipers start to play it.”