I got thinking about the importing of Highland culture into the Lowlands and Ulster, which then got me thinking about bagpipes. Pipe bands are generally believed to have emerged from British Army regiments in the late 1800s and early 1900s. However maybe the origins of bagpipes in Ulster are in fact more authentic, as the following excerpt from The Montgomery Manuscripts might suggest.
Archive for the “History” Category
Aug
26
2008
Surfing the Luminiferous Ether » Blog Archive » The 2008 Summer Solstice at StonehengePosted by: Pipe Major in Bagpipes, Events, History As many of the earlier visitors were walking in, a group called the Stonehenge Druids formed a procession and was playing bagpipes. Although I entered the site about the same time as the Druids, the physical exertion of producing music from the bagpipes meant they were walking much slower. The bagpipe players had some of the best cloaks at the celebration. Surfing the Luminiferous Ether » Blog Archive » The 2008 Summer Solstice at Stonehenge
Aug
20
2008
Continuing Studies fall registration openPosted by: Pipe Major in Bagpipes, History, LessonsOther highlighted public events include a Saturday seminar at the Cantor Arts Center called “Understanding Buddhist Art,” which includes a lecture, discussion and gallery tour. “The Other Bagpipes: Exotic and Lesser-Known Piping Traditions of the World” introduces listeners to the bagpipes of many cultures, along with a bit of bagpipe folklore. Registration is now open. Courses start the week of Sept. 22 and meet on campus from 7 to 8:50 p.m. Monday through Thursday. University employees who work half time or more may use their Staff Training Assistance Program STAP funds to pay tuition and registration fees. For more information and course registration, visit the web at http://continuingstudies.stanford.edu.
Here is an article on About.Com explaining a bit about the bagpipes.
Mar
28
2008
Morpeth Gathering - Chantry Bagpipe MuseumPosted by: Pipe Major in Bagpipes, Event, HistoryHighlights, reflecting this year’s special ‘Crossing Borders’ theme, include Friday evening’s gala concert with music from the Scottish and Welsh borders including Ceri Rhys Matthews, player of the intriguing Welsh bagpipe, and local Border ballads from Mike Tickell; Saturday’s pageant with Ellington Band, miners’ banners created by local schoolchildren, morris and rapper dance teams and the return of the Dodgy Clutch Theatre giant figure of much-travelled roguish Northumbrian piper Jamie Allan; a special film show on Bohemian bagpiping by American producer Jefe Brown who will be calling in en route between Prague and the United States; the afternoon battle based on a English Civil War skirmish from the Welsh border area (staged on both Saturday and Sunday); Saturday’s Barn Dance with the Castle Band and guests; and Sunday’s range of events to launch Morpeth’s year of activities commemorating the 500th birthday of William Turner, Father of English Botany culminating in a grand concert of Tudor music by costumed supergroup of the early music scene, The York Waits. Read the entire article at Morpeth Herald About the Morpeth’s Bagpipe Museum Housed in Morpeth’s medieval Chantry buildings since 1987, the Bagpipe Museum his home to a unique collection , the foundation of which is the bagpipe collection of William Alfred Cocks (1892 - 1971), a clockmaker from Ryton, near Newcastle. 219 New Glasgow Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Pipes And Drums
Mar
05
2008
“Send me 3 tanks or one bagpipe and I’ll hold this position.”Posted by: Pipe Major in Contest, HistoryAny one ever hear of this quote ??? Real historical quote or urban legend ? Any one finding a reference for this quote will win a prize. Email WebMaster @ Bagpiper.Com John MacDougall Gillies dies, 409 Great Western Road, Glasgow, December 17, 1925. November 6th, 1979 - On this day in history John Wilson dies, Willowdale, Ontario Scottish, born in Edinburgh. Taught by Roderick Campbell. Lost part of left thumb and left finger to an explosion while 12-years-old. In 1925, won the Gold Medal at Inverness. In 1927, the Gold Medal at Oban. Won the Clasp in 1936. Around 1936 was considered by some as the finest player in the world. Served with the Cameron Highlanders during WWII. Moved to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1949, at the prompting of George R. Duncan. Taught many students, including Bill Livingstone, Bob Worrall, Gail Brown, Michael Grey. Highly instrumental in the development of Canadian piping in the 20th Century.
Nov
06
2006
The Northumbrian Bagpipes by Neal MacMillian at Boston MFAPosted by: Pipe Major in History, News
Musical Instruments Gallery Monday, Nov 6, 2006 11 am — 12 pm Local piper Neal MacMillian talks about the history and recent revival of the Northumbrian bagpipe. Using a modern instrument from his own collection, MacMillian demonstrates the captivating sound of this small type of bagpipe. The MFA’s rare set of nineteenth-century pipes attributed to James Reid are on view for examination. Free with Museum admission. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston On this day in history: Archie MacNeill dies, age 83, Glasgow, October 23, 1962. On this day in history: James McIntosh wins 1st ever Grant’s Piping Championship, Blair Atholl, October 17th, 1974.
On this day in history on October 13 1933 the Scottish Pipe Band Association officially starts. On this day in history: Royal Scots Dragoon Guards’ “Amazing Grace” reaches #1 in UK charts, September 29 1971. On this day in history: Capt John MacLellan wins MSR at Inverness, completing “Grand Slam,” September 25, 1958. On this day in history: 16 year-old John D. Burgess completes “The Double” by winning Inverness Gold Medal playing “Castle Menzies, September 21, 1950. On this day in history: Donald MacPherson wins record 9th Clasp, Inverness, September 19, 1975. On this day in history: Bill Livingstone plays plastic Warnock drones at On this day in history: Donald MacPherson wins 7th Clasp at Inverness with “Battle of Waterloo,” September 17, 1971. |

The Swedish bagpipe is called a säkpipa. Medieval paintings show the instrument was widely known all over Sweden. The tradition gradually died out, except in one area of Dalarna. The instrument was revived and reconstructed based on old instruments found in museums. Today, there are at least two folk groups who make use of the unique, soft sound of the Swedish bagpipes.
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