Mike, the connection with the bagpipes and ancient Russia (around St Petersburg) has an interesting connection.

Something that might interest you, I certainly found it an interesting connection.

I won't ramble on about it but you can read this short explanation;

Bagpipes and Drums of St. Petersburg

"Bagpipes and Drums of St. Petersburg"  is a unique group performing traditional Scottish music, each performance of which is a bright, memorable event.

The bandpipers and drummers of the orchestra have been fond of Scottish culture for many years, with their playing they bring a note of overseas flavor to the life of St. Petersburg.

The orchestras of bagpipes and drums, or, as they are also called pipebands, originate from the military bands of the Scottish regiments and are now an integral part of ceremonies and events in many countries of the world.

The mesmerizing long and continuous sound of the bagpipes in combination with a variety of drum rhythms makes an incredibly strong impression, and the original Scottish motives conquer the listeners with their melodic, independent and brave character.

The band's arsenal includes traditional Scottish instruments: the famous Great Scottish bagpipes, a group of marching drums: a sneer drum, characteristic of its high sounding, a tenor drum, the technique of playing which gives the performance additional expression and a powerful booming drum-bass swinging with its hard rhythm the entire audience.

Thanks to the musicians' original ceremonial dress, the main element of which is the kilt (traditional Scottish plaid skirt), the performance is impressive not only with its musical component, but also turns into a spectacular show.

This show has already been appreciated by the organizers, participants and spectators of various cultural events, such as:

• 25 years of Terem Quartet in the Big Concert Hall "Oktyabrsky" / Video ;
• Inauguration of the first in Russia Theater of Musical DK Gorbunov in Moscow;
• 50 years of Maxim Leonidov in the Big Concert Hall "Oktyabrsky" / Photo ;
• 20 years of the theater "Comic-TRUST" in the concert hall "Carnival";
• XVI International Festival of Military Brass Bands in Yubileiny / Photo  Reviews ;
• XII International Folk Festival St. Patrick's Day at the Cosmonaut Club / Photo  Reviews ;
• Ethnofuturistic festival "Kamva" in Perm / Photo  Reviews ;
• Festivals "Belomor-Boogie" and "Iron Horse" in Arkhangelsk;
• Petersburg festival "Bagpiper";
• Opening of the annual St. Petersburg International Curling Championship;
• Carnival parade in honor of the Day of the City of St. Petersburg;
• Celebration of the 1150th anniversary of Novgorod / Reviews ;
• 320th anniversary of Sarov / Photo  Reviews ;
• Tsarskoye Selo carnival;
• Victory Day Celebration / Reviews ;
• Scarlet Sails school graduates holiday;
• Scottish Ball in honor of St. Andrew at the Astoria Hotel / Photo ;
• Numerous parties of Scottish, Irish and English pubs in St. Petersburg / Photo .

Make your event unforgettable and exciting with the Bagpipes and Drums of St. Petersburg!

There's also a beautiful ditty about it..."When the Pipers Play". I have a strong affinity for the Scots and the Pipes, no doubt from my late mothers ancestry and the Irish on my late fathers side. I think it runs deep in Celtic blood, a sentiment maybe. 

https://youtu.be/ssKbxLVSmRo

There was also a film about “When the Pipers Play”

Seb

Was Barclay de  Tolly not from Scottish origi n- I  read somewhere that his father and some other Scottish  famillies ,migrated to Russia - a move encouraged by Catherine the Great,   De Tolly was borne in Russia - but still really of Scottish descend.   Probably through those Scotmen the bagpiprs were introduced in Russia.              

I don't know Mike but what intrigues me is similarities in characteristics...the Russian people have many similarities in natural tendencies that Celts do...I, understand their pose very well...they just want to live, love, have challenges to daring...they are very brave and courageous people, similar to Scots, Irish and Anglo's ...the difference is their cultures....sadly the Americans in USA have a self righteous belief that material things mean power and superiority...these people (at least the true ones don't)...the biggest enemy today is pure deception and propaganda and gullible mindsets. If you want true education travel and think a lot, outside your parameters and most of all be honest in what you perceive. .

Seb

You may find the following about the Scots in Russia interesting:-

 scorus9.qxd (electricscotland.com) 

It is clear that there were Scots that had an influence in Russian history and that there may be  people with Scottish ancestry still  in Russia,    In fact the above deals with prominent people  in the service of the Russian Empire under Catherine the Great, Paul and Alexander 1, bit those people were not the only Scots who relocated and lived in Russia especially during the reign of Catherine.    

Maybe your wife would know more about that issue.   

As to the issue of culture and history the fact is that the Russians respect their culture an d history - even under Communist rule.    I can remember - I believe in 1981 - there was a Communist  Commissar of  the then Leningrad with the curious surname of Romanov,  whose daughter got married  and at the marriage  crockery that belonged to Catherine the Great was used and some items were broken.   Romanov was fired and no one ever heard of him again.

History and culture is under attack  by the brainwashing media in the USA and crooked politicians  of which Biden is an example are using the media to  brainwash people to accept measures that would destroy democracy in the USA and establish a dictatorship.   The woke culture is used to destroy any pride that people have in the USA and is bound to lead to  disaster in the USA and destruction of the country,        

Thank you Mike...sorry I've been very busy lately but I will be interested.