AUBURN - Though the bagpipes can be traced to ancient Egypt, the instrument later came to be known as a Scottish instrument of celebration and war.

Pipers traditionally led Scottish clans into war because the sound of the pipes were said to inspire great warriors to valor.

But in 1746, when the English Parliament at Westminster banned the wearing of any sign of Tartan, the speaking of Gaelic, and even any type of Scottish music, dance - and especially the bagpipes - the clans found another way to celebrate their heritage.

“The Scottish would get together once a year to play their bagpipes and wear traditional Scottish clothing,” said Charles Flanigan during The Kirkin' O' the Tartan, a special celebration of the Scottish held at the First Presbyterian Church in Auburn Saturday afternoon. The tradition continues to this day.

Flanigan is a member of the church and also a piper.

“It was the English who suppressed the Scottish ways,” he said. The “Act of Proscription” was in effect for 36 years, and each year the Scottish would gather and place their right hand over their concealed Scottish garb to pray for a speedy reversal to the act, Flanigan said.

The event was presented by The St. Andrews Society of CNY, and organization dedicated to the survival of the Scottish heritage.

“The event is held at different churches throughout the central New York area each year,” Flanigan said. “This is the first time it is being held at this church.”

The organization holds the event at various churches to bring the heritage to a wider audience.

The reason that the bagpipes were outlawed so long ago, Flanigan said, was that the sound was said to emit an aggressive and warlike sound. Yet in addition to leading the Scottish clans into war, pipers were also there to celebrate births, marriages, and deaths of loved ones.

It is a tradition that has spanned the years and is carried on today in the hearts of those with Scottish heritage.