Most women bagpipers have experienced sexism, survey finds

Most women in the piping and drumming community have experienced sexism, a survey has found.

The National Piping Centre revealed the results of a study launched in April 2023 into the representation and inclusion of women.

The report, which analysed around 300 responses from an online survey, found that 52% of women in the community had experienced sexism.

It also found that 52% of women who had retired from piping and drumming said their gender was a factor in this decision.

Additionally, 26% of the respondents said that a senior or respected member of their piping and drumming community had used or tried to use their status to “take advantage of them due to their gender”.

Around 24% of those surveyed also strongly agreed that they had personally experienced behaviour they consider to be inappropriate during a piping or drumming event.

Piper Ailis Sutherland, who grew up on the piping scene, said she wasn’t surprised by the findings.

“I see the piping and drumming scene in Scotland as a reflection of our society, so when fewer women are around, the challenging behaviour, dynamics and systems we navigate in everyday life are mirrored in piping and drumming spaces,” she said.

Ms Sutherland added that over her lifetime as a piper she has seen some “notable and credible” change within the community.

“In the last year or so, the biggest sense of change has been leading a team of predominantly young women to deliver the NPC’s Piping Clubs across Glasgow,” she said.

“I have never received instrumental tuition from a woman, so it feels like progress to be offering almost 60 young people piping sessions led by young women with degrees and expertise on a weekly basis.”

She continued, saying that as a result of the clubs, there is broader representation in their participant base and a positive shift in the culture within learning environments.

“Piping is one of my greatest passions, so it is not a plausible option for me to just walk away and try something else. I’m dedicated to remaining within the world of piping and to keep advocating and striving for inclusivity, diversity, accountability and safety in our professional, amateur and social spaces,” she concluded.

The report comes after NPC launched two initiatives that aim to promote “more equality, diversity, and inclusion and take meaningful steps to help create a safer and more inclusive” piping and drumming community for all.

Following the study, the centre identified seven key themes for issues within the community including lack of visibility of women, lack of accountability for sexism, and the contribution of alcohol in the creation of uncomfortable environments.

Helen Urquhart, head of Events at The National Piping Centre said the study has given women in the community a chance to be heard.

She added that the findings show where critical improvements should be made across piping and drumming in Scotland with immediate effect.

“We know there is much to be done to help rebuild trust and confidence among women in piping and drumming and would encourage everyone across the community to reflect on and contribute towards that effort so we can ensure that it is a safe, welcoming and inclusive, place for all,” Ms Urquhart said.

Finlay MacDonald, director of Piping at The National Piping Centre, said the survey findings show that there is more work to be done within the piping and drumming community.

“I would encourage the entire piping and drumming world to get behind these new initiatives and support us in our mission to enrich lives through piping.”

The board of The National Piping Centre said it is proud to have commissioned the research and said it would be responding to the key findings.