Bagpipe Appreciation Day
July 27
Although the bagpipes are widely assumed to be a Scottish invention, they have a lengthy history. Their origin is widely disputed, with their use dating back centuries, with references to them existing in Rome and Egypt. When the Romans brought the bagpipes to Scotland, more than 2000 years ago the Scot’s added the third pipe, making the famous wind instrument their own. In Gaelic, ‘bagpipe’ translates into P’iob mho’r, literally meaning ‘big pipe’. Bagpipes were traditionally made from the skin of a whole animal, most often a sheep. The skin would be turned inside out and pipes would be placed where the legs and neck would have been. These days, bagpipes are usually made with artificial fabric such as Goretex.
National Scotch Day
July 27
The oldest reference to the production of whisky is not in fact in Scotland, but in Ireland, where it is believed that monks began distilling spirits as far back as the fifth century. The first reference from Scotland is found in the Exchequer rolls, the accounting records for the royal finances in 1494, where an allowance was made for “eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor wherewith to make aqua vitae,” or “water of life.” A staggering one billion bottles of scotch are exported from Scotland every year. America is the second-largest customer, importing an impressive 120 million bottles a year. This is still quite a way behind the French, however, who are rapidly approaching 200 million bottles a year.
Today’s Birthdays of Note….
Maya Rudolph – Actress & Comedian – Gainesville, Florida
Alex Rodriquez – Professional Baseball Player – born in New York City, New York
