Record

Highland bagpipe chanter

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by J. and R. Glen, Edinburgh, c. 1875

Postcard of Highland bagpipe chanter.
000-000-579-967-C
© National Museums Scotland

Highland bagpipe chanter

Highland bagpipe chanter by J. and R. Glen, Edinburgh, c. 1875. Nickel silver seamed down the back, and the inside wall formed with a similar but smaller tube; engraved with 'J & R GLEN / 2 & 3 NORTH BANK ST. / EDINBURGH'; thistle and foliage motif, and a pseudo-heraldic decoration based on the royal arms of Scotland on the front of the chanter immediately below the low G hole; the sole piece is missing. Probably associated with blowpipe (K.2003.761). Formerly stock of J. and R. Glen, Edinburgh, or from the collection of the firm's proprietors.

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.

This piece comes from the Glen and Ross Collection of musical instruments which were preserved in the shop of 'J & R Glen, Highland Bagpipe Makers' until it closed about 1978. This was the business founded in 1827 by Thomas McBean Glen in the Cowgate in Edinburgh, dealing in and repairing musical instruments. His brother, Alexander Glen, specialized in bagpipe-making and was succeeded by his son David. Thomas' sons, John and Robert Glen, succeeding to the business in 1866, probably did most to collect instruments and their antiquarian interests were carried on by Andrew Ross who acquired the business from the Glens in 1947. The National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland purchased the bagpipe collections from the family in 1983.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-000-579-967-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0869: The Bagpipe Collection
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  K.2003.760 (1)
Date: c.1875 (date of manufacture)
Material: Nickel silver
Dimensions: 362 mm L
What:
Subject:
Who: Andrew Ross (successor to John and Robert Glen)
Glen and Ross Collection (musical instrument collection)
John and Robert Glen, Highland Bagpipe Makers (manufacturer)
Reid School of Music, University of Edinburgh (place of display)
Where: Scotland, Edinburgh (place of manufacture)
Event: Galpin Society Exhibition, 1968
Description: Engraved nickel silver Highland bagpipe chanter.
References:
Translations:
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