piper paraded with gombeys along Hamilton's Court Street and into the Spinning Wheel bar.

Pipe Major Willie Cochrane, from Troon in Scotland, has been blowing his bagpipes all over the world for 20 years as an ambassador for Dewar's whisky and his homeland.

Now he is in Bermuda for the first time, midway through a trip through the Caribbean to Canada.

"I'm enjoying it immensely,'' said the 55-year-old soldier-turned-recording artist, who was brought here by liquor merchants John F. Burrows & Co.

Mr. Cochrane was taught to play the pipes when he was six, by his grandfather.

He won prizes for his playing and during service in the King's Own Scottish Borderers, became the regiment's pipe major.

He has been on TV all over the world, and has made five albums, including the first piping CD ever.

Now based in London, he spends nine months of the year travelling.

"I have a very understanding wife,'' he said. "And a few times she's been to places with me.'' He is happy to discuss his own fondness for his national drink. "I have been known to have a few Dewars -- I play 12 tunes to the bottle.'' But despite the outspoken curiosity of Bermudian women as he performed in bars, supermarkets and clubs around Bermuda, he is not revealing what he wears under that kilt.