Set of Northumbrian or Half-long bagpipes

Set of Northumbrian bagpipes or Half-long bagpipes by James Robertson of Edinburgh, c. 1927. This was modelled on the bagpipe given to Muckle Jock Milburn of Bellingham, Northumberland by Colonel Reed of Chipchase in 1772.

The Northumbrian Half-long pipes resemble the Scottish Lowland and Border bellows bagpipe and, in the form which is recognised today, was revived principally for pipe band playing in the north of England in the early 20th century. It has a chanter and three drones tuned as bass, baritone and tenor, and the drones were usually carried on the shoulder for marching.

The Half-long or Border bagpipe was made initially about 1924 by James Robertson (1893-1948), Bagpipe Maker, Grove Street, Edinburgh, in collaboration with W A Cocks of Ryton-on-Tyne, Northumberland. A number of sets were made and the pattern was taken from a set of pipes known as the 'Milburn Half-long Pipes' in the collections of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. These pipes were by tradition given to 'Muckle Jock' Milburn of Bellingham in 1772 by Colonel Reid of Chipchase Castle, Northumberland.

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