The Squirrel of the Pipes!

Often you have heard the term "Skirl of the pipes", and you have always thought they were referring to the dulcet tones of a Bagpipe refrain from some distant glen? Wrong, you simply misunderstood their meaning. What they meant to say was the Squirrel of the Pipes. Yes, in this rare photo, we see Angus P. McNutt, One of the very first rodent pipers. Angus hails from the small town of Forthnerth Scotland. Taught by a piping legend, Ian T McLost, Angus learned the art of piping quickly. It was not long before he was impressing one and all with his quick fingering, and impressive jigs and reels. Angus was called into action during the 2nd Chestnut rebellion of 1856. Pressed into service as the sole piper for the Gordan Highlanders 31st regiment and rodent battalion, he saw action on many continents. But it was while serving in the Oak Tree uprising in Northern Italy that he truly became a piper of Legend. His small battalion had come under fire from the hostile forces of General Viper Von Rat. They had been taking heavy losses, and their regiment's morale was ebbing ever lower. Running low on battle chestnuts, and finding their water and peanut morsels almost spent, the battalion was on the verge of breaking ranks and abandoning the fight. It was at this moment that Lieutenant Angus McNutt said the immortal words, "Shall I gie em wind Cap'n". His commanding officer responded, "Aye Lad, gie em wind". Angus boldly stood amidst the flying acorns, and Hot Chestnuts flying past him, and struck in his drones and began to pipe. His actions so emboldened his comrades that they charged up the hill and over ran the more numerous forces of General Rat, and won the day. Unfortunately, Angus received many mortal wounds, and later succumbed to them, and passed away the following afternoon. Long will it be remembered that one lone piper stood to quail the impending defeat of a beleaguered 31st regiment. Angus has been immortalized in stone in front of the large oak tree in his home town. Today many rodent pipers are plying their skills and continuing the legend started by the brave Angus McNutt.