Bagpipes. Construction[edit] A detail from the Cantigas de Santa Maria showing bagpipes with one chanter and a parallel drone (Spain, 13th century). A detail from a painting by Hieronymus Bosch showing two bagpipers (15th century). The practice chanter Air supply[edit] Scottish bagpipes. Scotland boasts a rich piping heritage but it is the great Highland bagpipe with which most people are familiar. Scotland’s national instrument, the iconic bagpipes, is still hugely popular. From buskers on the street to pipe bands parading through Scottish towns and cities, you are certainly likely to hear the unmistakable sound of the bagpipe in Scotland before you see them! Today the bagpipes are used in military and regional pipe bands, to entertain at ceilidhs and in folk bands and solo performances. They are also commonly used to accompany Scottish Highland dancing. Bagpipe music has deep roots in the Gaelic culture of Scotland and there are roughly two main styles of music played on the bagpipes, Ceòl Mór and Ceòl Beag, which in Gaelic means ‘big music’ and ‘little music’.
Facts on Bagpipes.