Tribute to place where a Beatle found peace

The Campbeltown Pipe Band became the most famous pipe band in the world on the back of the release.

They were even specially asked for to play at the 2003 Isle of Bute wedding of Sir Paul’s daughter Stella and Alasdhair Willis. Strangely, there was just one request – DON’T play Mull Of Kintyre.

Mull Of Kintyre was written by Paul Mccartney and Denny Laine and released by Wings as a single in 1977.

Sir Paul’s 18th solo single eventually sold 2.5 million copies in the UK – which means over 1 in 30 people then bought it – and has total global sales of more than six million copies. It stayed at the top of the charts for an incredible nine weeks over Christmas, 1977.

The 21 bagpipers were each paid the standard musicians’ union fee but after the tune hit No 1, Sir Paul sent off a cheque for £200 to each of the pipers.

The song is a tribute to the Kintyre Peninsula where Paul and his wife Linda had a farm. The Mull is the area at the tip of the peninsula, known for its beautiful scenery and tranquil atmosphere.

After a difficult breakup with The Beatles, Mccartney went there to avoid the media spotlight. The pipes were recorded outside in the open air and Laine thinks that gave it a special sound that couldn’t have been found in a music studio.