I'm from Imverness, Scotland.. a one time Highland Dancer, and yep.. the bagpipes are irritating in close range indoor spaces, especially when awful esoteric, 'tuneless' pieces are played.. Bagpipes are Perfect in outdoor settings with good space.   In fact, I hear the army cadet bands in the summer with the pipes romantically drifting in the air across the hill to where I live - emanating from the local barracks. Some of the most stirring melodies ever written, like Lord Lovat's Lament, the Black Bear etc.. sound wonderful in the right context with good pipe bands and drums.   Solo pipers in closed rooms are an abomination, and possibly a Covid spreader! (My tongue is partly in my cheek - don't shoot the messenger, go for the doodlesack player first!)