Record

Set of Highland bagpipes belonged to Pipe Major Andrew McKintosh, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards

< 1 of 195 > Back

possibly by J. and R. Glen, Edinburgh

Postcard of Set of Highland bagpipes belonged to Pipe Major Andrew McKintosh, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards.
000-000-579-684-C
© National Museums Scotland

Set of Highland bagpipes belonged to Pipe Major Andrew McKintosh, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards

Set of Highland bagpipes turned in an unusual style with the drone tops modelled as thistles. They may have been made by the firm of J. and R. Glen in Edinburgh. The set belonged to Pipe Major Andrew McKintosh, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards (1917 - 1932).

John and Robert Glen were the proprietors of a bagpipe-making and musical instrument repair business in Edinburgh in the late 19th century. The business was founded in 1827 in the Cowgate, moving later to North Bank Street, Edinburgh, by their father, Thomas McBean Glen (1804-1873), who in 1833 described himself in the business directories of the city as 'pipe and flute maker'. His 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 1978.

The Highland bagpipe, though a musical instrument with a robust and powerful sound, was, as a wind instrument, prone to warping and cracking and other forms of wear and tear. A typical set of Highland bagpipes consists of about 16 components and separate pieces as well as four delicate reeds. Typically, broken parts would be discarded and replaced and it is rare for old bagpipes - earlier than about 1850 - to survive intact.


Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID: 000-000-579-684-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0869: The Bagpipe Collection
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1995.804 (1)
Date: 1917 - 1932 (date of ownership)
Material:
Dimensions:
What: Highland bagpipes
Subject:
Who: 2nd Battalion Scots Guards (battalion with which the owner of the pipes served)
J. and R. Glen (possible manufacturer)
Pipe Major Andrew McKintosh (owner)
The Museum of Piping, Glasgow (place of display)
Where:
Event:
Description: Set of Highland bagpipes with the drone tops modelled as thistles.
References:
Translations:
Related Records:
< 1 of 195 > Back
 
Powered by Scran