I think part of the reason that some songs are over-played on the bagpipes is because (at least in the U.S.) the pipes have become a ceremonial instrument. 90% of Americans only hear the bagpipes at funerals, parades, & marches that are connected with police & fire departments.

Why police & fire departments seem to have adopted the pipes can only be partially explained by the number of Scots & Irish that served on the forces over the years.

That being said - ceremonial functions rely heavily on all aspects of tradition - therefore, Amazing Grace & Scotland the Brave are almost always played (plaid?) because they sound right in ceremonial situations. It's like Taps played on a horn and the National Anthem sung poorly before any sporting event.

Speaking of Taps - I once again heard the "double" or "repeat" version of taps played today at ground zero. You know, where one horn plays a line and a second horn plays the same line just after. I think it stinks. To me it ruins the pure tone of the one horn and it's like their trying to make Taps "better."

Yeesh.

Pax yall