If Marmite were a musical instrument, it would be a set of bagpipes – a fact acknowledged early in Sky Arts’ docuseries Battle of the Bagpipes . “The sound of the pipes is like nothing else,” said Northern Ireland pipe band leader Richard Parkes. “Either you like it or don’t like it.
” Parkes was speaking as his Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band prepared for the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow – the “battle” referred to in the title of this worthy-but-dull documentary , which followed musicians from across Britain and Ireland vying for the biggest prize in piping. Everyone involved stressed the fiercely competitive nature of the championships. “Pipes have been a huge part of my life since I was born,” said Finlay MacDonald of the National Piping Centre in Glasgow.
“They’re not just an instrument. They’re way more than that.” Like all the piping enthusiasts interviewed for the three-part series, he spoke with fervent emotion and there was certainly no lack of interesting stories.
How disappointing, then, that little of the pipers’ passion was reflected in the tone of a plodding doc that mostly played a bum note. Parkes, of Field Marshal Montgomery, had piped all his life but 20 years ago suffered a stroke. “I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to play again,” he said.
“My whole playing experience is different.” There was surely more to be said about his journey back to health. Alas, it was quickly glossed over.
Battle of the Bagpip.