Isle of Skye Piping School Online

Dr Decker Forrest

This course consists of six classes over three days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) with two online classes each day at 10.30 – 12.00 and 13.30 – 15.00, all delivered via Zoom.  Where possible classes will be limited to 4 students.

The Isle of Skye has one of the oldest and richest piping histories in Scotland. Pipers today have heard of the MacCrimmons and other famous piping dynasties connected with the island, and are familiar with classic tunes like ‘Broadford Bay’, the ‘Sound of Sleat’, ‘Kenny Gillies of Portnalong’ and, of course, ‘The Man From Skye’, but these examples only scratch the surface of a deep and fascinating tradition.

This three-day course, led by well-known piper Dr Decker Forrest, is aimed at pipers with a basic, but solid grasp of technique and an ability to play a variety of tune-types, including reels and jigs. The course will be delivered in English, and will mostly consist of group practice chanter work and presentations by the instructor.

The aim of the course is to help participants develop their technique and repertoire, while giving them a broader understanding of the language, culture and stories behind the pipers and pipe music of the Isle of Skye and surrounding areas.  A piping recital is also included as part of the course.

Decker Forrest is the Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Gaelic and Traditional Music Programme at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Previous to this he was Coordinator of Academic Studies and Lecturer for the BA (Hons) Scottish Music programme at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and taught at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow. His published works focus on the music, ethnology and organology associated with the Highland Bagpipe. He is an experienced performer of the Highland Bagpipe, small pipes, whistle and tromb and has recorded and performed extensively on these instruments over many years.