Studio portrait of James Center with a set of Highland pipes

James A Center (1879-1919) was a pipe maker in Edinburgh. He was the son of John Center from Dundee who started a bagpipe making business at 64 Grove Street in 1867. James was a good piper, having been taught piobaireachd by John MacDougall Gillies, and a Highland dancer. He joined his father in the business and together they made a considerable reputation with their products. In 1908 father and son emigrated to Australia where they continued as pipe makers. James also taught piping and dancing and he died in Melbourne.

James Robertson (1893-1948) took over the bagpipe making business of John and James Center in Grove Street, Edinburgh, when they emigrated to Australia in 1908.

The Highland bagpipe of Scotland is a universally recognised musical instrument but historically, in the last 2-300 years, only one in a variety of bagpipes growing out of the rich piping and musical traditions of the British Isles. Though its precise origins are still obscure, it seemed to arrive in the Highlands in the 15th or 16th centuries and was adopted as the principal musical instrument after the clarsach of the Gaelic clans. By the late 18th century, the Highland bagpipe had emerged in more of less fixed form with chanter and three drones, the style and embellishment becoming a matter of fashion as well as standardisation with a uniformity being required for band playing and competition. By the early 19th century professional bagpipe makers were offering different sizes of Highland bagpipe such as 'Full-size', 'Half-size', 'Reel' or 'Lovat Reel Pipe' and Miniature.

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