New book celebrates the pipes of war – and raises funds for SSAFA

20 October 2026

When the Pipers Play tells the stirring story of the Great Highland Warpipes, with proceeds from each sale supporting the Armed Forces community of today and tomorrow.

SSAFA will benefit from sales of a new book charting the remarkable story of the Great Highland Warpipes in battle.

Written by acclaimed author and filmmaker Patrick King, When the Pipers Play: A History of the Great Highland Warpipes follows the military piper through centuries of conflict.

Through original research, exclusive interviews, and vivid veterans’ testimony - including the last surviving piper to play in battle - it reveals how the pipes rallied troops and carried tradition across battlefields around the world.

The book explores the pipes as an instrument of war in Scottish, Irish, and Commonwealth forces. It also salutes military pipers as guardians of a living tradition, preserving the deeds of earlier generations in regimental music.

Patrick served as a British Army reservist with the Pipes and Drums of the 51st Highland Volunteers and the London Scottish Regiment. The book builds on his award-winning documentaries Instrument of War and When the Pipers Play.

He has gifted copies to SSAFA, meaning that 100% of each sale of those copies will fund practical, emotional, and financial support for serving personnel and veterans, and their families helping ensure they never battle alone.

Jenny King, SSAFA’s Head of Corporate Engagement, said: “For generations, the military piper has embodied courage, service, and remembrance. That makes this a powerful and fitting book to support the Armed Forces family.

“We’re hugely grateful to Patrick, because each copy bought will help us stand alongside the entire military community – serving or former, and their families, regardless of regiment or rank, ship or squadron – whenever they need us.”

Patrick added: “My family has supported SSAFA as long as I can remember, so it was natural for me to donate my book to this excellent charity. I want people to enjoy reading not only about the bagpipes, this unique musical instrument of war, but the incredible stories of courage by individuals in the face of adversity.”