Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 32 on 13/04/2007.

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Everything you need to know about Scottish bagpipes

Roddy Martine reveals the history of the humble bagpipe

Among the carvings within Rosslyn Chapel on the outskirts of Edinburgh is the image of an angel playing a set bagpipes. The carving dates from the late 15th century, and at Melrose Abbey, in the Scottish Borders, there is another quirky carving, this one of a pig playing the bagpipes which, during the 20th century, inspired a similar image to be carved within the interior of the Thistle Chapel of St Giles’ Cathedral.

The earlier carvings, it is believed, were a tribute to local characters, since pipe music had become an important feature of medieval life in Scotland. However, they do raise questions as to the origins of Scottish bagpipes, as similar instruments are known to have existed in the Middle East several centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ.

Bagpipes in general are closely associated with the Celtic race which more than a thousand years ago began to colonise the Basque country in Spain, Brittany in France, Cornwall in England, Wales, Ireland and, by the sixth century, had reached Scotland. In mythology, these people were known as the ‘Lost Tribe of Dan,’ one of the 12 tribes of Israel, dispersed in 722 BC when the Assyrians swept in to conquer the region. It is thought that the first musical instrument of the type was similar to a hornpipe, but when the bag was attached remains a mystery.

In 400 BC, pipers in ancient Thebes had bagpipes made of dogskin with chanters made of bone. In a later century, the Roman Emperor Nero is reputed to have played them. Ther.....

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By Roddy Martine

Section : Scotland Life

Page number : 74