Should he bring the bagpipes all the way to Europe? Help on packing light..

yeah, it is a pretty funny sight. He is not even scottish, he's mexican and kind of a big guy. I will lighten up on him about it with the caveat that if we can't go on a spur of the moment biking/hiking trip or have any issues with carry on for trains or planes then I get to say "I told you so" for the rest of our lives :)

Hi Michelle! I think it would be great for him to fulfill the dream! However, I agree with Sylvia and others on here. If he chooses to bring them, then he is responsible for them AND it doesn't mean that you are now responsible for all the other things he can't fit in the bag because of the bagpipes. Not fair for you to overload your bag so he can fit these in his. Perhaps him with a checked bag to accommodate the bagpipes and all his other clothes, and you with your carry on. If it's his dream, he'll figure out a way to make it work without imposing too much on you. That too (along with the "told you so's") comes later in marriage! :-)

Where does he plan on playing them? Does he think people just walk down the street playing the bagpipes? They're a ceremonial instrument.

It's like people going to Australia and thinking they're going to see kangaroos in downtown Sydney.

And then he's going to carry them throughout his entire trip? Why not inquire about renting a set of bagpipes while he's there once he knows where he's going to play.

Make a deal with him...tell him you'll okay the bagpipes if he'll buy a kilt while in Scotland and then wear it, on a weekend, at Scottsdale Fashion Square--and invite all his friends.

If none of that works, and he insists on bringing them to Scotland, and hoping Scotland is your first stop, find out about shipping them back to Scottsdale from Scotland so you don't have to carry them around the rest of your trip.

ha! Actually he has 2 kilts already...he plays in the police pipe band for fallen officers. Unfortunately this will not embarrass him, I already had to make a deal just so he wouldnt wear it at the wedding. Like I said, obsessed! Scotland is our first stop, but he thinks he may want to play in Germany. He wants to go out to the Highlands and play and says a rental is just not the same as "his" pipes. Just wondering how much of a hassle this will be, maybe if I get enough people saying what a mistake it is, I can get him to reconsider.

Try the guilt--this is your HONEYMOON and he wants to spend it wandering the streets playing bagpipes?!?! :) Maybe you could make a deal to go back in a few years, only to Scotland and he can bring the pipes then.

Personally, I think it's ridiculous to lug them around.

If you're taking trains, there might be an issue--more than once, I've had to store my bags in another car since the luggage rack in mine was full. On flights, there will be luggage restrictions.

Good luck. Maybe let him wear his kilt at the wedding instead? My hubby's family (although Scottish) left those traditions behind, I would have loved him to wear a kilt during the ceremony.

Thanks, i will definately keep trying. I don't mind that he plays on our honeymoon, its his one true passion, so I could never guilt him into not playing. We are both pretty independent and agree to let ourselves have some of our own roaming time in each city. Its just the luggage. he seems to think he can fold them down and fit them with all his clothes in a RS convertible backpack so he can carry it on.

Ha ha! The image of your fiance striding through the airport with a set of bagpipes sticking out of his rucksack has really tickled me! I imagine you might need to speak to the airlines if you want to take them onboard.

Where does he intend to play his bagpipes?? He can't do it in the hotel without being thrown out. If he does it on the streets he might get moved on by the police for illegally busking. Bear in mind that an awful lot of people (including many Scots) are not overly fond of the sound of the bagpipes so I wouldn't start playing them in a pub either!

I love it. I can picture him out in the countryside, maybe beside a loch with his kilt on playing his pipes. Wish I could see him. I like people with a passion. Help him figure out a way to do it. Why not check a bag this time or pack really light with some of his clothes in your bag so he can get his bagpipe in his carry on. I think it's worth the effort & think of the memories. Don't check the pipes tho or if you do, carry enough insurance to cover their loss.

Can't he just take the part you blow into? I think it is called the chanter. It reminds me of a recorder. He would then have his own mouthpiece to blow into if he sees a bag pipe to try over there, he could use his own chanter????

" its his one true passion, "

There's really nothing else to say. He should take them. Have a wonderful life with a self assured and unique guy. I have a feeling that things will never be dull in your life!

Hi Michelle, interesting situation. As long as He is the one carrying them and You dont have to, I would say let him bring them.( I would say the same thing if he were a kid bringing a toy) For whatever reason, they are important to him and telling him he can't bring them wouldnt be a great way to starta honeymoon. Imagine if you wanted to bring 8 pairs of shoes,and he said you couldn't. I would suggest you find out how much it would be to send them home, or leave them in storage, just in case he realizes you were right. Enjoy your honeymoon !

Obviously, this is something he has been wanting to do for a while. Let him fulfill the dream, but resist the temptation to say "I told you so" when he eventually regrets bringing it. That comes later, after a few years of marriage ;-)

Actually, I'm more curious to see how long a guy from AZ will last wearing a kilt in chilly Scotland.

He will find some place to play! Maybe on a street corner (find one that isn't already occupied by another piper) and put out a hat. Maybe he'll get enough money to fund a good dinner! ; ) Even better, you get into the countryside and let him play in the real open air with the hills and lochs all around you. Maybe you'll find you can share a bit of his passion. BTW there is a piping center in Glasgow. Here's the web site. http://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/ Pam

I think bringing his bagpipes to Scotland is a really bad idea. And the sound emitted from bagpipes is extremely LOUD !!!!! It is louder than any other musical instrument. If he plays his bagpipes in Scotland, he should go to a desolate wilderness where there is no people. And I guess you would not want to be closer than a half mile from him when he is playing the bagpipes. You have my sympathy.

Sounds like your husband-to-be has a lifelong dream that is waiting for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Is it going to be easy? no. Is it going to be inconvenient? yes.

But travelling is not all about ease and convenience but about experiences. And the most memorable ones are often those that come along with a host of problems. And I think you've gotten already some tips here on how to manage those problems. My first thought was as well to go to Scotland first and to ship the pipes home before continuing the trip to the continent.

Why would you want to talk him out of this dream when instead you could be talking about him playing the pipes in the Highlands for years to come. I can see already your kids and grandkids smiling about the story :-)))

Thanks Kim for all the technical info, very helpful, great idea about finding a band to play with, he would be in heaven.

I think your husband will love you even more if you support him in this dream. Stand in his shoes for a moment and think about how that feels. You have a chance to fulfill a dream and not only does your spouse-to-be think it is a hassle, but also a bit foolish. Wouldn't you like full support instead? These will be some wonderful memories as you start your life together as husband and wife.

I would put the bagpipe in your carry-on luggage though, to insure that it does not get lost. Finding a group to play with sounds like a fab idea.

Taking the trains is easy here. I would not worry about the luggage thing.

I really liked Kim's idea too! Finding a pipe band to play with would be wonderful! They may have an "in" for him to rent or borrow a set of pipes too. The exciting part would be the locals you'd meet doing that and the fun times with them! Great suggestion!

I actually think bagpipes are pretty cool. My husband is Scots/German heritage and he likes the sound. Fortunately, when he took up music, it was the bass guitar. (Another heavy and difficult to transport instrument, but he loves his bass ...)

You love him, right? Indulge him and I guarantee he will remember always. Great way to start your marriage.

Congrats, enjoy your wedding and have a great time on the honeymoon.

Michelle, This is great! People are so unique and I love to hear that someone has passion for something. However, this will probably be a very sore point in your marriage if you do not let him take the bagpipes. I agree later on you can tell him, I told you so because it will probably be a hassel.

I can't imagine my husband trying to tell me that we had to eat at McDonalds while in Europe. I love food and would be forever be bitter if this happened. So let his dreams be fulfilled and in the end you will probably have a great funny story to tell.

Happy travels!!!

Thanks all! I showed him Kim's post and he has decided to see if he can rent these somewhere. He was a bit worried about anything happening to them based on her experiences. If he can't find to rent, I guess we will end up bringing them. And we will definately see if there is a practice he can get in on. Not playing them at all is not an option, I want him to have this moment.

Check out this article about carrying bagpipes on a plane:

http://www.bagpipejourney.com/articles/airplanes-and-pipes.shtml

Also, if he insists on taking the pipes, what is his contingency plan if airline security decides that he must check them? After all, the volume of the instrument's bag is far greater than the allowable 3-ounce container.

wow, that's quite an article! Even for me, a non-piper, an interesting read.

I don't understand the concern about the volume of the instrument, though. Sure it has more than 3 oz. So does my empty water bottle that I always carry through security without any problems whatsoever.

Great article Bee, thanks

Oh, Michelle, one other thing. Go to your airlines' website and look for musical instruments. They usually have separate rules on carrying them over straight luggage.

Michelle, what if you provide your fiance with the web address and links you have received, and let him do some of the research. He may decide on his own not to bother, or he may come up with a great alterative of perhaps renting some pipes for a few hours and jamming (do pipers call it that) with some new friends. Either way, you are showing your support, and letting him back out of the plan if he decides you have a point.