logo
How bagpipes saved a Glasgow piper's great-grandfather

How bagpipes saved a Glasgow piper's great-grandfather

BBC News13-03-2025

After piper Malcolm Campbell was shot and left for dead during World War One, he credited his bagpipes with helping to save his life. During the recovery of bodies following the Battle of Marne in France in 1914, his pipes were accidentally set off, alerting fellow soldiers that he was still alive. More than 110 years later, the same set of bagpipes are still being played - by Malcolm's great-grandson Alasdair Campbell. The third generation of his family to have the pipes, Alasdair said: "I play them pretty much every day - in bands, solo and in competitions."
Malcolm, known as Calum Alasdair in his home island of South Uist in the Western Isles, was a private in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.He was among thousands of soldiers in the British Expeditionary Force who fought alongside French troops against German forces at the Battle of the Marne.It was fought over several days in September 1914 and halted the German's advance on Paris, but was followed by years of trench warfare.
The battle resulted in a total of between 300,000 and 500,000 casualties.Alasdair said his great-grandfather, though wounded during the fighting, was one of the lucky ones."He was shot and left for dead," said Alasdair, who lives in Glasgow."But a few days later when they went out to pick up the bodies one of the body collectors stood on him."He was lying on top of the pipes and the pipes made a noise and they thought 'oh, good Lord he must still be alive, we must get him to hospital and back on his feet'."Malcolm, who was carried off the battlefield with his pipes, spent months in a hospital in Aldershot, Hampshire.Alasdair said: "After that he made a full recovery and he got an honourable discharge and was sent home."He said his grandfather, mum and uncles would not have existed if it was not for the bagpipes.
Alasdair is proud to carry on a tradition started by Malcolm, and over the years the pipes have been played at European and World Pipe Band Championships.He said: "They belonged to my great-grandfather and my grandfather and then I subsequently inherited them."So they have a long lineage."
Bagpipes were carried into other battles during WW1, and again during World War Two.Piper Daniel Laidlaw won the Victoria Cross for his actions at The Battle of Loos, the largest British battle on the Western Front in 1915.He climbed from a trench and played Blue Bonnets Over The Border to encourage his fellow soldiers to renew an assault on German troops.During WW2, pipers were used by the 51st Highland Division at the start of the Battle of El Alamein in October 1942. The pipers' tunes were used to identify different regiments.Glaswegian commando Bill Millin was ordered by his commanding officer to play his pipes to rally troops during D-Day in June 1944.His actions on Sword Beach were later portrayed in the 1962 film The Longest Day.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Diletta Leotta shares stunning bikini snaps as she holidays with ex-Liverpool star husband Loris Karius
Diletta Leotta shares stunning bikini snaps as she holidays with ex-Liverpool star husband Loris Karius

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Diletta Leotta shares stunning bikini snaps as she holidays with ex-Liverpool star husband Loris Karius

Scroll down to see the best snaps from her photo dump WHOLE LEOTTA LOVE Diletta Leotta shares stunning bikini snaps as she holidays with ex-Liverpool star husband Loris Karius Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DILETTA LEOTTA stripped down to a bikini while on holiday with her husband and former Liverpool star Loris Karius. Diletta, 33, works as a football presenter for DAZN in her native Italy. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Diletta Leotta wowed in a figure-hugging bikini Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 9 She shared several snaps from her holiday Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 9 Diletta is a sports TV presenter Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 9 The beauty has a whopping nine million followers on Instagram Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta While Karius, 31, is currently between the sticks for German club Schalke. The couple jetted off to Mallorca for a much-needed break following the end of the season. Diletta soaked up the Spanish sun in an array of incredible outfits. She was pictured hopping out the sea in figure-hugging black swimwear. And after drying off, she looked incredible in a pink bikini as she posed with a friend joining them abroad. Diletta also dazzled while stood next to a massive paella on the beach and when at a restaurant in a stylish black dress. Her stunning looks left her nine million Instagram followers in awe, with one saying: "The most beautiful, there is no better." Another added: "Gorgeous girl." A third commented: "You are radiant." Italian beauty Diletta tied the knot with Karius last summer in a luxurious ceremony after two years of dating. They have a daughter Aria, 2, who was seen in the post. Karius was on daddy duties, holding her in a swimming pool that overlooked the picturesque ocean. The German goalkeeper played 49 times for Liverpool between 2016 and 2018. Dilleta returned from her holiday in time to attend yesterday's French Open men's final, stunning in a bold white dress. 9 Diletta looked in love with a huge paella Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 9 Her daughter Aria joined her at the beach Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 9 Her husband is ex-Liverpool keeper Loris Karius Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 9 Diletta Leotta shares stunning bikini snaps as she holidays with ex-Liverpool star husband Loris Karius Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta

Chicken wine: UK shoppers spot new canned version of viral La Vieille Ferme
Chicken wine: UK shoppers spot new canned version of viral La Vieille Ferme

Scotsman

timean hour ago

  • Scotsman

Chicken wine: UK shoppers spot new canned version of viral La Vieille Ferme

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. You can now buy the summer favourite wine in a can 🍷 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The viral 'chicken wine' is now being sold in a can The French wine La Vieille Ferme gained popularity in 2024 Fans of the wine can buy the canned version for less than £4 UK shoppers have spotted a brand new canned wine, which is sure to fly off the shelves during summer. In 2024, French wine brand La Vieille Ferme became a viral sensation due to the taste of its rosé offering. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, fans of the wine also loved the aesthetic of the bottle and its label which featured an illustration of chickens. The label led to La Vieille Ferme gaining the nickname 'chicken wine', which is still used by many. Canned version of viral chicken wine spotted by shoppers causing debate on social media | Panama - While 'chicken wine' decreased in popularity during the colder months of the year, it is now back on everyone's lips once again as we hit the summer season. However, it's not the glass wine bottle of 'chicken wine' that those are picking up for their barbecues, but rather the brand new canned version of the alcoholic beverage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad TikTok users have been sharing videos of finding the 'chicken wine' cans in Sainsbury's, expressing their delight at finding the popular wine in a can. Sainsbury's and Tesco appear to be the only UK supermarkets to stock La Vieille Ferme in a can so far, with it being priced at £3.10 at Sainsbury's and £2.75 at Tesco , both of which are stocking 200ml cans. While many have shared their excitement for the wine in a can on social media, commenting that it would be ideal for a summer picnic, others have debated whether it is worth the price for a 200ml can. One user said: "Chicken wine in a can! I know what I'm drinking all summer ', while another user said: "Wouldn't touch the sides at 200ml." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The regular 75cl bottle of La Vieille Ferme Rosé is available to purchase across a variety of UK supermarkets, with a price point between £8 and £9. If you have a food and drink story to share with us, we'd love to hear from you. You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.

We're identical twins and we're BOTH called Marie – people say it shouldn't be legal but we love confusing people
We're identical twins and we're BOTH called Marie – people say it shouldn't be legal but we love confusing people

Scottish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

We're identical twins and we're BOTH called Marie – people say it shouldn't be legal but we love confusing people

Plus, the pranks they pull on people who don't know they are twins SEEING DOUBLE We're identical twins and we're BOTH called Marie – people say it shouldn't be legal but we love confusing people Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEING an identical twin can be confusing - but imagine how it feels when you also share the same name. This is the case for twin sisters Marie and Marie, who have been confusing internet users with their posts. 2 A set of identical twins claim to have been given the same name by their mum and are both called 'Marie' Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk On their @doublemaries account, the German sisters shared snaps of them together, and said: 'Told him I have a twin. 'We are named the same.' The blonde sisters document their travels and life together online, where they call themselves 'twin explorers' and 'double the fun, double the adventure.' Many people were baffled at their claim they were given the same name by their mum. One wrote: 'Is it allowed to be called the same? Like being twins.' Another added: 'God really said copy and paste.' And a third commented: 'Your poor partners gotta be soooo careful.' And one queried: 'I thought this is illegal.' In a video they joked that being a twin with the same name has some benefits, including the option of taking exams for one another. They are also able to prank people - including dates - who have no idea that they are twins. 'Want to tan' - Haley and Hanna Cavinder go full Baywatch in stunning red skintight one-piece bikinis on beach However, there are a number of drawbacks. Marie explained: "The problem is we have the same picture, name, date of birth and address. 'You don't even wanna know how many problems come up.' Not only have they had issues with post arriving for one another, but also in school, where teachers had to call them 'Marie 1' and 'Marie 2' to differentiate them. 2 The identical twins share their travel pictures online Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk One person asked if they had ever shared their frustration with their mum for giving them the same name. Marie said: 'Nope, we're actually thankful for the name.' They added that their mum also has no regrets about the name choice, but they said that it can be hard to feel like they have their own identities. One person replied: 'This would be the worst thing ever if one of you ever committed a crime.' The twins said in response: 'No it wasn't me.. it was Marie!!' Another pointed out: 'So you can take each other's driving test??' to which the girls joked: 'Maybe.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store