Remembering Isaac, the Highlands Roadside Piper

One of the joys of my work is hearing from people I’ve encountered in my travels about how the things we do here as travel writers have impacted their lives. So many Europeans we meet are favorites of mine because of their passion for their culture and their gift for sharing it.

Recently, out of the blue, I received an email from the daughter of a dear man I met on a desolate roadside in the Highlands of Scotland. It was about twelve years ago, when I was scrambling to make a TV show about the Highlands. As if placed there by heaven’s Central Casting, this tender giant of a man was bagpiping to the birds, the passing clouds, and the occasional motorist. He chose a spot that seemed intentionally miles from nowhere. We stopped, and he graciously demonstrated his pipes to us, giving us a tour of that fascinating symbol of Scottish culture. I’ve never forgotten that wonderful chance meeting…and it ended up a fine little part of our TV show.

The piper’s daughter wrote to me just last week, saying, “I want to thank you for the video on YouTube titled ‘Rannoch, Scotland: Highlands Roadside Piper.’ The piper in the video was my father Isaac, who sadly passed away 5 years ago in 2007. I only learned of this video today and was utterly stunned to hear his voice and see him the way he was.” She went on to say how much the video meant to her and that she hoped we’d never remove it, because he was an amazing man and now she can see her father whenever she needs to. Apparently, this is the only video clip she has of her father doing what he so loved to do…play his bagpipes surrounded by the glory of his Highlands deep in Scotland. She said, “I can now see my Daddy any time I like and remember him for the great man he was, and hear his voice and music again.”

It was with great joy that I sent her a DVD of her dad with the entire Scotland show. And it’s with great joy that I share this video clip of Isaac, the Highlands Roadside Piper, with you.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

Comments

4 Replies to “Remembering Isaac, the Highlands Roadside Piper”

  1. Thank you Rick for such a wonderful memory. My late husband, Tom and I also heard a Scottish Piper once by the roadside. I do so enjoy your blogs and the contacts. I have been happily remarried now for just over three years to someone also called Tom, like my late husband who died in 2004. I think the world of Rick Steves and his Team, and have such fond memories of the ‘Rick Steves’ People’ who stayed in our B&B, Woodville House, Bath, from 1992 until 2009. May God bless you all and may you know His peace. Anne Lunt (previously Toalster)

  2. This reminds of when my grandfather, who was Scottish, passed away in the early 80’s. At his funeral there was a piper playing in the distance as he was being interred at the cemetery. Every time I hear that music, it sends me chills. Thanks for this post Rick.

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