Chanter for a set of Scottish Lowland bellows-blown bagpipes

Chanter for a set of Scottish Lowland bellows bagpipes with three drones in stock, bone and brass mounts, bellows of wood and leather and a black velvet bag cover. Scottish, early 19th century. Collected by Dr Duncan Fraser.

The Lowland pipes, often called the Border bagpipe, seemed to have become a distinctive instrument by the 18th century. It has a chanter, usually slightly smaller than the Highland bagpipe chanter, and three drones - two tenors and a bass set in a common stock - and is bellows blown. It sounded and tuned as the Great Highland bagpipe but would not have produced such a strident or carrying sound.

A distinguishing characteristic was the mounting of the three drones in a common stock, and the use of bellows strapped under the arm to provide a supply of air. Such a bagpipe would sometimes be described as a 'cauld wind pipe', in contrast to the mouth-blown bagpipe in which the player's breath was hot and lurid. The lowland pipes were the instrument favoured by the Town or Burgh Piper of Lowland Scotland.

Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.