“I’d really like to start checking with the vendors about the sporran and ferrule,” said Annie. “But I hate for y’all to feel like you have to follow me around.”
Alice intertwined her arm with Annie’s. “You know how much I enjoy poking around all kinds of shops, so I’m following you around voluntarily. Besides, I’m as curious about all this as you are.”
“Me too,” Peggy chimed in. “As long as we can see some of the dancing, I’d rather keep together.” She paused and glanced sideways at her husband, who was good-natured but not much for shopping. “But Wally and Ian might want to do something else.”
Wally ran a hand through his hair. “Well, we won’t need the chairs or quilt until the afternoon competitions, so Ian and I could take them back to the car and then … ” he paused, thinking.
Ian consulted the brochure. “Wally, are you interested in seeing any of the livestock? I have to admit I have a soft spot for Highland cattle. Their hair is as pretty as Alice’s—almost.” Wally agreed with Ian’s suggestion as the friends chuckled.
“You know what I say to my hair stylist every time I go, right?” said Alice. “Please make my hair shine like a Highland cow!”
When the laughter had died down, Annie asked, “Does everyone want to see the falconry demonstration? If you do, we could meet there at, say, ten thirty.” Her friends all showed enthusiasm for the idea, and the two groups parted, Emily giving Wally a quick hug before joining her mother for the walk to the vendor tents.
The first vendor the ladies found sported the sign, “MacTavish, Pipemaker.” Inside the white tent, tables and portable shelving displayed a variety of full bagpipes, parts, and maintenance items, such as hemp and wax. There were also instruction books, DVDs, and computer programs.
Looking around, Emily noticed something that looked familiar to her. “Hey, they’ve got recorders here.” She pointed at some long pieces, some plastic, and others made of wood. After bending over to get a closer look, she muttered, “These look a little weird, though.”
“Well, lassie, that’s because they’re not recorders,” said a man with light brown hair tending toward gray and gray eyes tending toward humor. “You’re looking at chanters, you are.”
Emily’s blue eyes widened as she gazed up into the man’s face. “I’ve never heard of a chanter.”
“Why, it’s a very important part of a bagpipe,” the man said as he picked up one of the instruments made of dark wood, flared on one end. “This one is made of blackwood, and if you tried to play one of these on a bagpipe, you’d probably end up fainting before getting a single note out.” He set the chanter down in its place and picked up a narrower plastic version. “This is where a new piper needs to start, with a practice chanter. Learning to play the full bagpipes with bag and four reeds is a lot easier once you’ve mastered the practice chanter.” He looked at the adults and grinned. “It also causes less pain for the people and dogs within a mile of the new player.”
Emily looked from the practice chanter to the full bagpipes propped up on a nearby table. “Wow, that boy in the band this morning must have started practicing when he was a baby!”
“What colors was he wearing?” the man asked.
“Red and black.”
“You must be talking about Colby. He’s a rare one. I’ve only known one other piper who played as well so young.” For a brief instance the merry eyes of the man dimmed, but he gave a slight shake of his head and then addressed Emily’s companions. “Is there anything I can help you find?”
Peggy and Alice looked at Annie, who reached into her bag for the ferrule. “There might be,” Annie said, showing the man the ferrule. “I found eight of these, with no bagpipe, in the house my grandparents used to own. I was wondering if you might be able to tell me anything about the engraving, whether it’s from a particular clan or family.”
The man reached out a hand, and asked, “May I?” Annie placed the piece in his hand. “You have eight of them, you say? That’s one short of a complete set.” He took a pair of glasses out of his shirt pocket, donned them, and examined the mystery ferrule. “Sterling silver, excellent craftmanship.” He paused and sighed. “Unfortunately, I don’t know of any clan with that crest.” He handed the ferrule back to Annie. “But there are several tartan and clan tents where you will find people to help you look for clan crests and badges.”