When the Lahore Pipe Band were refused visas to come to Glasgow to compete in the World Pipe Band Championship earlier this year I was flabbergasted by the absurdity of it.

No doubt a suicide bomber could have stuffed his bagpipes with explosives and blown the assembled pibroch lovers sky high as he hit the top notes of "Gordon's Lament for Lives Lost in Afghanistan". But they could have been obliged to perform behind concrete blocks or some more subtle technique employed to keep us safe. After all if you've seen "Tunes of Glory" you'll know that there are ways of making sure that things are as they should be even when concealed under the kilt.

So I seized upon the chance to help future foreign pipers and the like by signing this petition. Am I becoming public-spirited or just bolshie in my old age?