by Betty Carew

Created on: November 18, 2008   Last Updated: February 05, 2010

 Every country has a history of some kind of musical instrument and the bagpipes are claimed by Scotland although they did not originate there. The history of Scotland goes far back in time but the bagpipes are recorded from earlier than the connection of the bagpipes to Scotland as we know it today, so here is a brief history of the Great Highland Bagpipes.

Surprisingly the earliest record of the bagpipe was found on engraved Chaldean sculptures dating back to 4000 B.C. The oldest set of pipes was found in Egypt that was dated back to 1500 B.C. There were similar instruments found in the Near East and Egypt by 2500 B.C. but these were simple with a mouth blown reed pipe. These were known as Shawm and were popular for years in its time. These were nothing compared to the bagpipes themselves.

In past history mouth blown pieces were known with the waging of wars and the bagpipes were no different. There was no other instrument that came close to the shrill, penetrating sound of the bagpipes which could be heard nine miles away. This was such a unique sound that not even the battle cry of war could drown them out. They were the favorite for war, not only with Scotland but countries such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It seems the bagpipes were also a favorite of Nero. Coins have been found to feature a likeness of Nero playing the pipes. Rome set out to conquer the world and in doing so spread the use of the bagpipes far and wide.

By the middle ages the bagpipes were very popular and the favorite instrument of Europe even after the collapse of the Roman Empire. They were played in the palaces of the most distinguished monarchs. During this time there was no indication that they would become Scotland's most treasured instrument although their popularity in Scotland was the same as other countries.

It is only a guess but scholars think that the bagpipes came to Scotland around the 1300's and settled in the Highland region. The earlier versions were not like what we know today. The first set of bagpipes would have only one single drone. Around the 1600's there was another drone added, with the third drone, known as the bass or great drone, being added in the 1700's. This completed what we now know as the Highland Bagpipes.

The bagpipes would be classified as an instrument of war by the loyalist in 1746 after Bonnie Prince Charles Lost a key battle to the British Isles of Culloden. After this, all Scottish things were banned including the bagpipes. The pipes

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