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

Two reels printed in William Gunn's 'Caledonian Repository of Music Adapted for the Bagpipes' printed and published in Glasgow in 1848. These tunes were typical of the popular music tradition if the 18th century which had been available in printed book of fiddle music. William Gunn's collection was the first appearance of this music in quantity for the Highland bagpipe.

The Gaelic titles were probably the first lines or chorus of songs sung to the tunes, since the scansion of the words fits the music. 'Christmas Carousing' may be a survival of festive music and song frowned upon by the Church since the Reformation of 1560. The words tell of 'The drunkenness that Christmas put upon us.. .'

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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