Two tunes printed in 'The Caledonian Repository of Music Adapted for the Bagpipes'

Two tunes in slower jig time or quicksteps printed in William Gunn's 'Caledonian Repository of Music Adapted for the Bagpipes', printed and published in Glasgow in 1848.

Tunes in 6/8 time were common in early printed Scottish music collections but became less popular as dance music in the 19th century. Tunes such as these, also familiar as song airs, developed into quick steps or marching tunes in Highland bagpipe music. The second tune, called by William Gunn 'Macfarlane Clachan's Favourite' is known generally today as the four-part jig 'The Thief of Lochaber'.

William Gunn (1795 - 1867) was born in Kildonan, Scotland, and learned the trade of weaving. He began playing in the Highland Society's piping competitions, winning the 5th Prize in Edinburgh in 1824, having moved to Glasgow in about 1823. He set up business as a bagpipe maker about 1834 and, until 1850, he lived and worked at 48 Gallowgate in Glasgow. Latterly (until 1866), he lived and ran his business from 273 George Street. He died on 14 February 1867 aged 72.

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