A national “piping expert” in Scotland is accusing the Edinburgh Festival of forcing attendees to endure substandard bagpiping buskers in the name of tradition. “[Roddy McLeod] said most of the performers who lined the capital’s streets during August were ‘shockingly bad’ players. Many could not tune their instruments properly and did scant justice to their musical potential, he added.” Festival organizers agree that their pipers are not exactly ready for a Saturday night at the Sydney Opera House, but insist that they are merely upholding centuries of Scottish tradition.