skirling
High-pitched piping sound
Skirling is the shrill, wailing sound of bagpipes—that distinctive high-pitched drone that carries across Scottish highlands and military funerals.
The word captures both the piercing quality and the sustained nature of the sound: The skirling of pipes announced the procession.
It can describe similar sounds: wind skirling through cracks, a kettle's whistle.
As a verb, to skirl is to produce such a sound.
Penetrating or very sharp
- high-pitchedHigh in frequency
- earsplittingExtremely, painfully loud
- keeningVocal mourning for dead
- wailingProlonged mournful crying
shrieking · screeching · whistling · penetrating · strident · sharp · harsh · discordant
piercing
Penetrating or very sharp
- high-pitchedHigh in frequency
- earsplittingExtremely, painfully loud
- keeningVocal mourning for dead
wailing · shrieking · screeching · whistling · penetrating · strident · sharp · harsh · discordant · cacophony
piper
Wind instrument performer
kilt · Scotland · Highlands · clan · ceilidh · reeds · melody · march · parade · ceremony
gust
Brief wind surge
blowing · storm · tempest · squall · draft · chimney · moor · heath · bleak · eaves
skirlingwhispering
Breathy, near-silent speech
murmuring · hushed · muted · barely audible · quiet