Vancouver's musicians pipe up over city's bagpiping ban

Vancouver's city engineering department has issued a ban on bagpiping in public, pressing the official mute button on a popular busking technique and possibly starting a feud with the mayor in the process. Pipe proponents say that their instruments are no louder than still-legal lawnmowers, while others say the ban is stifling some of Canada's most talented musicians. Even Mayor Gregor Robertson -- who was sworn in wearing a kilt -- isn't exactly thrilled. "A complete ban on bagpipes...across the city is ridiculous and culturally insensitive," he wrote in a statement. "The clans won't stand for it." We secretly hope this leads to something that resembles a "Braveheart" outtake.