NMS


 

Record

Set of Northumbrian Half-long bagpipes

< 1 of 1 > Back

by James Robertson, Edinburgh, c. 1928

Set of Northumbrian Half-long bagpipes
Add to album

Set of Northumbrian Half-long pipes, made by James Robertson of Edinburgh, about 1928, consisting of chanter, drones, blowpipe and stocks. The drones, decorated with simple bands and mounted with white composition. Are arranged to tune bass, tenor and 5th. The chanter is inscribed at the narrow end 'J. ROBERTSON / EDINBURGH'. The bellows and bag are missing.

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.

Record details

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


< 1 of 1 > Back