Pibroch, played on modern Highland bagpipe by William McCallum (audio clip)

The tune, An Daorach Mór (The Big Spree) is one of approximately 300 pieces which constitute the modern pibroch repertoire, of which three quarters have been published. The tunes are designated in Gaelic Ceòl Mór (big music), and are made up of a ground or theme (ùrlar), normally of eight phrases, followed by a series of variations, up to 20 in number, but commonly no more than six or eight. The variations (siùbhlaichean) become technically more complex as the tune progresses.

This clip features the ground of the tune, played by the Campbeltown-born piper William McCallum.

Played by William McCallum at the 2001 Glenfiddich Piping Championship at Blair Castle. The instrument features drones made by Peter Henderson (c1900), and chanter made by David Naill (1986). Courtesy of BBC Scotland and William Grant and Sons Ltd.

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