ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, September 2, 1996 TAG: 9609030088
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: PERTH, SCOTLAND
SOURCE: Associated Press
One of Scotland's leading bagpipe players says he is emigrating to Virginia - forced out by ``noise pollution'' complaints from his neighbors.
Gary Stronach, one of only 25 professional bagpipe teachers in Scotland, has agreed to teach at Old Dominion University, in Norfolk, after his local council warned him about practicing at home.
``I am annoyed that they should call it noise pollution, especially in Scotland. The pipes are our national instrument,'' Stronach said.
But neighbors in Perth, 430 miles north of London, say that Stronach's music can be heard up to a half mile away. They complained to Perth and Kinross council.
``I am really angry with my neighbors,'' said Stronach, ``I would have assumed that they would have come round to see me face-to-face if they were upset with the noise.''
He has been playing the pipes since he was 11 and was a member of the award-winning Vale of Atholl Pipe Band for 14 years.
``I am extremely bitter that I have got to leave Scotland to do this,'' Stronach said. ``It is my country and it will be extremely hard to leave.''
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