The Road To The Isles-6/11 Scottish Bagpipes

[@panzerrjcb]

You know you have balls of steel when you storm the Sword beach in D-Day with nothing but a bagpipe playing this song

[@markgrice8088]

respect to all who went before, my great uncle was in the Navy, both the first and second world wars...he came out in 52...always my hero :)

[@cameronmcpeak5183]

BOB he did get a VC. Ol Bill didnt get a VC

[@JimWalsh-rl5dj]

@@cameronmcpeak5183 I met Bill, what a super bloke he was. As a piper I am mediocre but he siad I was good!

[@docknight7689]

And they could look any man in the eye, as with the Camerons who went ashore at Dieppe on 19 August 1942, behind their piper standing calmly on the bow...

[@johnlamond4463]

What for my love

[@baranyaipeter1462]

I love bagpipes music. I'm Hungarian, but lived 5 years in the UK. I think, these tunes mean to be proud Scotish.

[@giselle7617]

When I was little our neighbor Mr McGregor had a pet Magpie that would whistle this song Road to the Isles.

[@bonkers1212]

Appreciate that bud 👍

[@jangles8061]

​@@giselle7617 😆❤️ That's brilliant!

[@zimmerking2323]

Igen!

[@modena064]

Scotish... Our best and oldest allies, love u all from a frenchie

[@stephenfowlie742]

Right back at you with love from the Highlands

[@georgew2670]

52 years in Canada but my heart will always be home in Scotland

[@inTHEwrongGENERATION]

This was played on the Bagpipes when British Royal Marines bayonet charged a German defensive position in Comacchio, Italy on 2nd of April 1945. One Royal Marine was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallant actions which sadly led to his death. This was likely the last song he ever heard in his short life of 21 years. It was also the last song many Germans will have heard before they were on the receiving end of Royal Marine bayonet.

[@kamalprasad1635]

❤

[@sebastien38022]

The first song of great Bill Millin in the boat for Normandy !! Thanks mister Bill

[@steelguitartim]

Ah Scotland, Scotland, this was piped by Piper Bill on the Normandy Beaches by an unarmed pride of Scotland to inspire the troops to victory on D-Day. Think of that; listen to the words and you'll weep with me in thanks at bravery.

[@Azog150]

It wasn't just Scottish troops on the beach that day. I think it's fair to say every British soldier, whether Scottish, English, Welsh, or Irish, would have been inspired hearing the pipes and seeing the Mad Scotsman playing them.

[@kylecheck1040]

My Grandma's favourite song ❤ I miss Scotland 😢🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Makes me cry whenever I heard this.

[@harryflashman3451]

My Grandad was a scotsman in the royal greenjackets and this song always makes me so proud

[@avatarcayo5293]

I thought the Royal Green Jackets recruited from England, how did he end up there?

[@harryflashman3451]

@@avatarcayo5293 emigration 😂

[@avatarcayo5293]

@@harryflashman3451 I see, because I was a little confused because I normally thought it was the English going into the Jock regiments because there were (and still are so few Scots) to go into so many different battalions.

[@nbr1631]

How those tunes and the photographs bring back memories of my grand-father and his generation.... stocky, powerful, fierce -looking, but kindly. Grand-father fought the Germans and died with German shrapnel in his body, but he never spoke ill of them. However, when I questioned him about the bolsheviks and communists, he became incensed with rage and would fulminate against them at length.

[@judithgips2959]

shows just how knee jerk "anti-Communism" is.

[@jamesknippel3315]

@@judithgips2959 or it shows how much more of an evil communism is, even when compared to the nazis. pretty telling.

[@crimson13689]

@@jamesknippel3315 nazis and communists are simply different branches of the same tree. All cunts that deserve no mercy.

[@sallyaguilera9694]

I love anything Scottish. I am Mexican and picked up off the streets in the U.S., and raised by the McBride family.

[@nbr1631]

@@jamesknippel3315" how much more of an evil communism is, even when compared to the nazis." True. That was what my grandfather was trying to tell me .

[@scotlandboy1441]

RIP Piper Bill Millin "Scotland the brave"

[@sirmobil]

don't care how many times i add this to my faves, the picture reminds me of the stories my dad told me about the scots regiments posted abroad where not only did they treat the fighting & security as important but in true Scots style they never forgot how to celebrate & party

[@educatethemax9714]

My dad had a recording of this (a single on the 45 rpm format) with the tempo MUCH slower, and he said it was played like that as they were slogging through the desert (I guess in Northern Africa - the Sahara, probably). Believe, me, it's much more beautiful at that tempo, and brings tears to your eyes.

[@ajvandelay8318]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnOcc4yKf7tlfJo

[@alrae6361]

R.I.P. grandad Jock Raeburn died 1915

[@ellenrexrode1153]

In the book The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan, the piper who played this on Sword beach was William Millin.

[@davidbialik1878]

A far croonin' is pullin' me away As take I wi' my cromack to the road. The far Coolins are puttin' love on me As step I wi' the sunlight for my load. Chorus Sure by Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go By heather tracks wi' heaven in their wiles. If it's thinkin' in your inner heart the braggart's in my step You've never smelled the tangle o' the Isles. Oh the far Coolins are puttin' love on me As step I wi' my cromack to the Isles. It's by Shiel water the track is to the west By Aillort* and by Morar to the sea The cool cresses I am thinkin' of for pluck And bracken for a wink on Mother knee. The blue islands are pullin' me away Their laughter puts the leap upon the lame The blue islands from the Skerries to the Lews Wi' heather honey taste upon each name.

[@davidwatson3157]

Such an inspiring sound . I love the pipes and drums. And I'm an Englishman

[@xlprop6687]

I never knew there was this version. Awesome.

[@Soldier9811]

Great quality, lovely tune

[@真柴一生]

Oh! D-Day piper Bill Millin!

[@BillyCraigMusicArtist]

Very good, thank you!

[@Alan_Mac]

Love the pic. "We will attack you with kilts, bagpipes, moustaches and half a badger protecting our genitals. You will be colonised."

[@raygunn7440]

LOL!! "..half a badger...", I'm crying...

[@jocelynpereira6000]

" Half a badger!!" I let out such a snort of laughter I just woke up my husband

[@pipingdogtooth]

Those Sporans are awesome!!! Sounds great!!

[@johnmcwilliam701]

Much of the piping posted on uTube is of dubius quality. This, however, has a clarity of fingering which makes my mouth water. A great tune and beautifully performed - thanks.

[@sgtgewartsmith7992]

John McWilliam you are so much correct. absolutely great finger work, I can remember my father singing this and he was the son of irish immigrants

[@johnryan8533]

I'd never heard this before, but looked it up after reading about the piper playing it on the deck of a ship approaching the Normandy beaches.

[@jezfrench9435]

He was actually on the Normandy beaches, the Germans later said that they didn't shoot him cos they thought he'd lost his mind.

[@losklandos6962]

Scotish and French have a long history of fighting together, I ll will always consider them as brothers

[@williambarr7959]

I believe Road to the Isles was played at Normandy in WW II by Piper Bill Millen, an incredibly brave man. Makes one misty eyed. Wm Barr

[@matthewbyrom5394]

der verrückte Pfeifer

[@davidkeanie3996]

This tune for the pipes was written by John Maclellan when he served in the Highland Light Infantry.

[@SpiritedHearts]

My dad would sing this after having a few brews!

[@Cruachanman]

Fluffypear you are so right. When was the last time or first for that matter that you witnessed a piano in the pipe band.

[@ryanwilson3526]

I'm sure others in the comments have mentioned this, but this was piped by an unarmed private (Piper Bill) on Sword beach during the D-day landings in Normandy to conjure courage within his fellow comrades.

[@Romeo_Simte]

My favourite tune👍👍👍

[@santosmartinez7206]

La primera marcha es: The Road to the Isles. La segunda marcha es: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban. Ambas son un clásico de las marchas para gaita y hermosas composiciones las dos.

[@BagpiperGermany]

Great Sound :-) Thank you!

[@jamitchell421]

love the picture aswell - SCOTS GUARDS !!

[@Getitrightroundya]

jamitchell421 as an ex jock guard drummer am blinkered but it's the best regiment in British army , tho a little piece of my heart will for ever be a Gordon that was my family regiment

[@nicolea2839]

Perfect Celtic music for a St Patrick’s Day celebration

Yes Lord LOVAT asked Bill Millin to play it. The Germans did not shoot at him.

[@ColRAPR]

Outstanding !!

[@kenhodcroft1278]

Excellent..and D day as well !!

[@gallopingrider]

Eventually getting around to playing this :)

[@craigmcintosh7241]

Farewell to The Highland Light Infantry of Canada.

[@IrishBouzouki]

The tune was written by Pipe Major John MacLellan, and he orginally entitled it: "The Bens Of Jura". During the South African War he changed the title to: "The Highland Brigade’s March To Heilbronn", (MacLellan had by this time enlisted in the Brigade). Thereafter, on being posted to Egypt, he renamed it again - this time to: "The Burning Sands Of Egypt".

[@StrathendrickPiper]

Think that is either Pipe Willie Ross or GS Maclennan in the picture

[@AndrewBarry65]

Does anyone know where I can find the music for the 2nd and 3rd verses to Road to the Isles that they play here. My books only show the first part. Thanks

[@simon_wiggle_fan]

The Australian children's music group, the Wiggles did a version of this song except that there are words to it but one of the singers does play bagpipes for part of the song.

[@mariehyvon3306]

Excellent musicien je vous remercie

[@tonimactavish9937]

Lovely!

[@ianeagleburger3724]

As an Englishman got to give it to you Sweaties, you know how to stir the blood. I salute Bill. RIP.

[@johncampbell6114]

The words of this song were written in Ardchattan manse , by a visiting minister from Taynuilt

[@gerritjanmoes3569]

Respect!

[@JWLatrobe]

does any one know the name of the second tune after "the Road to the isles". ??

[@scottdonaldson316]

a response for those who feel that pipes and piano do not 'go together.... I strongly disagree. If ye needs to hear the drums, ye hae nae sense of rhythm...the piano provides it all, bass and rhythm, however in a subtler manner. Check out Tracy Dares of Cape Breton with her pipe playing husband.... music that will make your hair stand on end!!! If it is from the heart, it works.

[@JMLS2010]

Very good too with electric guitar and rock and roll, thank you AC/DC

[@StrathendrickPiper]

donald maclean's farewell to oban, please check out my channel for more piping related videos

[@nbr1631]

"donald maclean's farewell to oban," 1st tune I learnt, courtesy of the 1st Bearsden Boys Brigade....and forever grateful to them for that....now, some 50 yrs ago.

[@Briselance]

And also Black Bear. Well, if the "Longest Day" movie version is true to the facts, that is.

[@DMSBrian24]

What's the second tune called?

[@MrMurrito]

+BrianDMS I actually play it, but I can't for the love of me remember the name of it. Going through all of my sheet music right now (and I have a lot) and will get to you as soon as I can!

[@DMSBrian24]

Jacob Murray Thanks man ^^

[@MrMurrito]

+BrianDMS I'm pretty sure it's Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban! A 2/4 march. Have fun, friend!

[@piperbob2]

Yes it is !

[@walterhoenig6569]

Hello TXM dancers!

[@neilwallace9003]

Who's the piper? Love to hear more played by them.

[@pipergy]

+Neil Wallace Rob Crabtree is the piper and it's on one if his CD's.

[@27thRegtofFoot]

it was along with hielan laddy

[@maryfinney5813]

My dad’s favorite

[@MagnustheValiant]

In the format of a typical youtube comment, POV: You're storming Sword Beach

[@invoker_tm7556]

Wt is that 3 min of silence for

[@dragoonguard7278]

the piano f*** up everything for me......

[@RobertWilson-jb4xw]

There’s an awful said about the Dunkirk evacuation but not so much about the 51st Highland Division that stayed behind a fought alongside the army of France .

[@leonaguayo3972]

La matria

[@fastonthedraw]

in truth....the road to the isles...is not the name of this tune....!!!!....its called the "burning sands of egypt..."

[@peterbirch2348]

Blood pipes with the blood souls uncle argyle was right

[@Arvivez]

ITS HIGHLANDS. COME ON PEOPLE....

[@elizabethazis6188]

Arvivez I

[@DazzaYTB]

no othe soldiers in the worls quite lime out scottish commandos ALBA GU BRATH LIGH MO THOINN

[@jamesb.8940]

Piano. does. not. fit. Pipes and drums, OTOH...

[@kaim268]

could be worse, as soon as you bring brass into any scottish pipes i immediatly disown it

[@larrydean2626]

lose the piano

[@IrishBouzouki]

The tune was written by Pipe Major John MacLellan, and he orginally entitled it: "The Bens Of Jura". During the South African War he changed the title to: "The Highland Brigade’s March To Heilbronn", (MacLellan had by this time enlisted in the Brigade). Thereafter, on being posted to Egypt, he renamed it again - this time to: "The Burning Sands Of Egypt".