A Heart for the Highlands

When you meet Dan Aird, the first thing you might notice is his calm demeanor. But behind those dark blue eyes and softspoken voice lies a treasure trove of unexpected stories.

Aird’s life has been anything but average. From choosing to play the bagpipes as his instrument of choice to teaching students in Scotland how to play their national instrument, he has made many captivating choices. He was a member of the Air Force, studied archeology, and has been a teacher in various capacities.

Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Aird and his family moved around the state of North Dakota. Born in Devils Lake, Aird moved as a child to Lawton, where his native Scottish grandfather built and managed a grain elevator in 1903 after finding gold in the Yukon.

Aird and his family also lived in Dickinson for a short stint before moving to Medora in 1957. He went to high school in neighboring Montana before coming to Fargo to attend North Dakota State University for a degree in zoology and a minor in physical science. Aird eventually joined the Air Force in 1969.

While serving in the Air Force, Aird had both of his desired station requests granted.

“When I was in the service, they had a wish sheet for where you’d like to be stationed,” Aird said. “I put in Spokane, Wash., because it was near where there was a pipe band, and I knew some of the people who played.”

After spending two and a half years in Spokane, Aird had a second request granted and was next stationed at the only Air Force base in England at RAF Lakenheath for over a year.

“When I was leaving the service, they had a program where if you were stationed in some other country when you got out, you could stay there for awhile and they’d fly you back,” Aird said, “so I then went up to Scotland and went to The College of Piping in Glasgow. I taught beginners and gave lessons there at the college, one year at Glasgow High School, and one year at Kelvinside Academy. I got a half-hour lesson from the head instructor in the morning and another half hour in the afternoon.”

Before his feet ever tread on Scottish soil, Aird was already hooked on the pipes. Prior to his Fargo and Air Force days, one of Aird’s friends got him into piping after high school.

Piper ~ Dan Aird

When i was leaving the service, they had a program where if you were stationed in some other country when you got out, you could stay there for awhile and they’d fly you back. so i then went up to scotland and went to the college of piping in glasgow.

It is an instrument steeped in history, embodying a strong vein of Aird’s heritage.

“I had a friend my age who helped me get started. I had been doing exercises on the practice chanter before Doug really got me going and on to the bagpipe itself. Then I went to his teacher,” Aird said. “There were no other pipers around, so I would go up to Canada where my friend’s teacher was, and sometimes I’d play in parades with him and his son.”

A Strong Set of Pipes With two Gaelic-speaking grandfathers who had emigrated from Scotland with wild stories of their own, it is no wonder Aird’s rich Scottish heritage is a source of immense fascination and pride. Clearly, the independent spirit of the Scots flows through his veins as he’s carved out his unconventional path through life.

Aird’s bagpipes also have a tale to tell. Decades ago, his friend, Douglas Bremner, the same man who got him into piping, ordered a $28 bagpipe from a shop in Pakistan. Years later, the instrument was delivered with an extra set of bagpipes and a note. In the letter, the sender of the package explained how his shop had been bombed in the Indo-Pakistani War. It took him a few years to start his life’s work over again.

To honor his word and show remorse for the delayed order, he’d sent two instruments. The quality of both sets of pipes was impeccable and has since been the envy of other pipers. Aird bought that extra set of pipes from his friend for only $14, and it’s proven to be the most worthwhile $14 he’s ever spent in his life.

The Plaid Piper Years after he serendipitously acquired his bagpipes, the two instruments from that little music shop in Pakistan have been reunited in song. Aird and his friend Doug’s daughter play together in the Heather and Thistle Pipes and Drums band in Fargo.

He’s been a part of the musical group since its inception in 1992, using his passion for the pipes to teach students, direct and play for the many events they perform every year. They most often play for parades, such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Fargo, but some of the events they play for are far less joyful and lighthearted.

One of the experiences that stand out the most for Aird was when they played for a 9-11 memorial service, along with playing at a service for a man who had died in that national tragedy.

Whether for joyful or solemn events, Aird and other skilled bagpipers have a distinct way of evoking pride, excitement and tears from those who listen to the moving drone and skirl of the pipes.

It is an instrument steeped in history, embodying a strong vein of Aird’s heritage. Thanks to his interest, dedication and tutelage, the skills needed to play the bagpipes have been passed down to younger generations, keeping the traditions alive. •

bagpipes 101

Good Life: Does rain hurt bagpipes? Dan Aird: Not really. In Scotland it rains all the time. The problem is you can get water run down the drones and stop the reed, so they don’t sound. If you hold it at an angle it doesn’t go in as easily.

GL: How many people in this area play? DA: There are around 20 pipers in our band.

GL: What are five of your favorite songs to play? DA: I like “Calum Campbell’s Caprice,” “Crossing the Minch,” and “The Carnival Reel,” and “Big John O’Neill’s Hornpipe,” and “The Highland Wedding,” but there are so many other good ones too.

GL: How can someone know they’re buying a good set of bagpipes? DA: Usually people order them on the internet now. Any pipe made in Scotland is a good pipe, no matter which maker it is. The average spend is around $1,200, but you can get them for any price. If you want a $1 million bagpipe, you can get one. They’ll encrust it with diamonds if you want and make it out of solid gold, if you like.

GL: If you treat pipes well, how long can your instrument last? DA: Forever. The only thing to happen is if you’re a really wet blower, the blowpipe sometimes cracks, but that can be replaced. All the good pipes are made of wood. •