Testing the Great Highland Bagpipe

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Andrew Ross senior (left) and Andrew Ross junior (right) in their workshop in the premises of J & R Glen, Highland Bagpipe Makers, 497 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, in the 1960s. They are testing a new set of their own manufacture of Highland bagpipes for pitch. Andrew Ross junior is blowing the pipes after tying the stocks into a new sheepskin bag and before finally 'dressing' the pipes in bag cover and 'tuning cord' and tartan ribbon.

Andrew Ross senior worked in the firm of J & R Glen and bought the firm in 1947 while keeping on the Glen family name.

J & R Glen, Highland Bagpipe Makers, was the business founded in 1827 by Thomas McBean Glen in the Cowgate in Edinburgh, dealing in and repairing musical instruments. His brother, Alexander Glen, specialized in bagpipe-making and was succeeded by his son David. Thomas' sons, John (1833-1904) and Robert (1835-1911), took over the business in 1866. In 1911, the premises moved to 497 Lawnmarket where it survived as 'J & R Glen, Highland Bagpipe Makers' until it was sold to the late Gordon Stobo about 1978.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-000-579-610-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: The Bagpipe Collection
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  Bagpipe Archive 4.16
• Date: c.1960 (date of manufacture)
  
• Material:
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• What:
• Subject:
• Who: Andrew Ross, Junior (depicted)
  Andrew Ross, Senior (depicted)
  J. and R. Glen, Highland Bagpipe Makers (workshop depicted)
  
• Where: Scotland, Edinburgh, 497 Lawnmarket (location of workshop depicted)
  
• Event:
• Description: Testing the Great Highland Bagpipe.
  
• References:
  • Cheape, Hugh. The Making of Bagpipes in Scotland. In: Anne O'Coonor and David V. Clarke (eds). From the Stone Age to the 'Forty Five. Studies Presented to R.B.K. Stevenson. Edinburgh: John Donald Press, 1983, pp. 596 - 615.
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