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Notes On The Bagpipes

Highland Pipes

Founded on the "Oaten" pipes of ancient times the Great or Highland pipes have a long and colourful history. Based on a system known as the "Free Reed," the hard sound of the pipes is produced when wind is blown into the bag by way of a mouth piece, and then, by squeezing the bag with the elbow, the air is forced out through the chanter; the pipe on which the player plays the tune. Some of the air passes through the drone pipes which the piper places on his shoulder. The drones produce a constant note and pipe music is written in keys, which allow for that constant note to run through the melody

Early bagpipes appeared on Roman coins, but many are of the opinion that the idea of the pipes came from the Greeks. Some attribute the arrival of the pipes in Scotland to the Romans while others maintain that the pipes were originally Celtic and were here before the days of the Roman Empire.

The pipes replaced the harp as Scotland's national instrument and were adopted by the military as a marching instrument. The "skirl" of the pipes led many Scottish regiments into battle, producing a sound which is said to have put the "Fear of God" into the hearts of the enemy.

"Its martial sounds can fainting troops inspire
With strength unwonted and enthusiasm raise."

In the late war in India Sir Eyre Coote made the Scottish regiments a present of fifty pounds to buy a set of pipes in consideration of their gallant conduct in the battle of Porto Nuovo, where the British troops had to cope with double their number.

When the brave 92nd Highlanders took the French by surprise in the Peninsular War the pipers very appropriately struck up the tune "Hey Johnny Cope Are ye waukin yet?", which completely intimidated the enemy and inspired our gallant heroes with fresh courage to the charge which was, as usual, crowned with victory.

In times of peace the sound of the pipes is heard in the halls of the Scottish Chieftains. The gatherings regale their ears while the feast is spread on their hospitable boards and the merry measures of the Reel invites them to the floor.

Than the sound of the Bagpipe no other sound is more grateful to the Highland ear and the Scottish dancer in general. For him it is an influence and bestows a vigour and enthusiasm which places other instruments in the shade.

On occasions of ceremony such as a visit to a neighbour the clan Chief was attended by his "tail," a group of people including henchmen, the bard or poet, the bladier or spokesman, and a number of others including the piper and the piper's gilley. A writer on the matter thus speaks on the piper's function: In a morning, when the Chief is dressing, the piper walks backwards and forwards close under the window playing on the pipes with a most upright attitude and majestic stride. When required he plays at meals to divert the guests with music.