Reverse side of the manuscript copy of the pibroch Campbell of Cawdor

Manuscript copy of the 'pibroch' Campbell of Cawdor, showing the reverse side of the sheet, probably supplied to the Edinburgh publisher and bagpipe maker, David Glen, for his Collection of Ancient Piobaireachd.

The tune, on the reverse side of the manuscript sheet of music, shows the conventional style and layout of piobaireachd, being the classical music for the Great Highland bagpipe. It shows how the tune in performance progresses from the 'ground' through a series of variations with growing elaboration of gracenoting. The tune is not complete on the manuscript but can be reconstructed from the air and variations shown here.

David Glen (1852-1916) was the son of Alexander Glen, Bagpipe Maker and Music Publisher. He succeeded his father in business in 1873 with premises in Greenside Place, Edinburgh, the firm became David Glen and Sons when he was joined by his sons, Alexander and David, and it closed in 1949 and was incorporated into J & R Glen. Between 1876 and 1911 David Glen published a remarkable series of works for the bagpipes including a major piobaireachd collection with historical notes contributed by the Gaelic scholar, Henry Whyte, a substantial Highland bagpipe tutor and a collection of Irish music. His most important and lasting contribution was a major collection of Highland bagpipe music of 1,100 tunes published in 17 parts up to 1900.

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