Set of Highland bagpipes of three quarter size

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Set of Highland bagpipes, 'three-quarter' set, by tradition made by John Bàn Mackenzie (1796-1864) of Breadalbane, 1850s. The chanter, of ebony mounted with silver and ivory and is stamped 'MACDONALD' (possibly for Donald MacDonald of Castlehill, Edinburgh), is not contemporary with the drones. The drones, of ebony, silver and ivory mounted, are fitted with brass tuning-slide chambers. This set of bagpipes was purchased by the National Museums of Scotland in 1988 from the grandson of John R Mackenzie of the Liverpool Scottish, who was the son of Pipe Major Ronald Mackenzie of the 78th (Seaforth) Highlanders, the nephew of John Bàn Mackenzie.

John Bàn Mackenzie (1796-1864), piper, composer and pipemaker, was born in Achilty, Contin, Strathpeffer, and was taught piping by Donald Mòr MacLennan, John Beag MacRae and John Mackay of Raasay. He competed and was awarded the special gold medal for former winners when first issued in 1835; he was then styled 'King of Pipers' or Rìgh nam Piobairean. He is a key figure in the transmission of traditional piobaireachd or 'classical' bagpipe music from the MacCrimmons to the present day, John Mackay of Raasay having been taught by Iain Dubh and Domhnall Ruadh, the last of the MacCrimmons of Skye.

As a professional piper of the 19th century, he was successively piper to Mackenzie of Allangrange, Davidson of Tulloch and the Marquis of Breadalbane with whom he remained for 28 years. He earned a place in piping tradition, not only for his skills and achievements, but also for turning down an invitation to join the Royal Household by becoming Queen Victoria's Piper.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-000-579-655-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: The Bagpipe Collection
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1995.788 A
• Date: 1850s (date of manufacture)
  c.1825 (date of manufacture of chanter)
  
• Material: Ebony, ivory and silver
  Highland bagpipe
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Highland bagpipe
  
• Subject:
• Who: Donald MacDonald (possible maker of chanter)
  John Bàn Mackenzie (owner and possible maker of pipes)
  
• Where: Scotland, Breadalbane (possible place of manufacture of pipes)
  Scotland, Edinburgh, Castlehill (possible place of manufacture of chanter)
  
• Event:
• Description: Highland bagpipe, three quarter set, with ebony chanter and silver and ivory mounts.
  
• References:
  • Baines, Anthony,. Bagpipes. Occasional Paper on Technology 9, Oxford University Press, 1973. 
  • Campbell, Jeannie,. Highland Bagpipe Makers. Magnus Orr Publishing, 2001.
• Translations:
• Related Records: