Bagpipes:

Through War and Peace

From the beginning of early civilizations, the bagpipe has been present in both war and peace.

By definition, the bagpipe consists of a sheep, or elk skin, “bag” that is held under the players arm.

Three pipes stick out that create a constant sound, and one pipe, with nine holes drilled in it, is used for

pitch changes (“Scotland: Bagpipes, a National Symbol”). In Scotland, the bagpipes have played a

significant role in the evolution of the native culture both in times of war and peace.

Contrary to popular belief, the bagpipe is not native to the Highland moors of Scotland. In fact,

it is an instrument with a long history spread across several continents. The earliest documentation of

an instrument resembling a bagpipe was found in Eyuk. Archeologists dated the Hittite slab to be from

around 1,000 B.C.E. There has also been reference to a pipe-like instrument in the bible. It was used in

the palace of Nebuchadnezzar (Worrall.). The early bagpipes traveled along the Silk Road and other

trade routes before reaching the Western civilizations. This fact may explain why many different

countries in Europe and Asia have their own “bagpipe” (History of the Great Highland Bagpipe). There

is some disagreement among historians to the exact time that the bagpipes reached Scottish borders.

However, there is artwork depicting pipers in churches in England, from as early as the 13th century

(Worrall.).

After arriving in the English country, the bagpipe became a cultural necessity. English pipes

began as working noises. The pipe would sound in the morning at the start of the work day and play

again in the evening to signal the day's end (Timoney.). The music played on the bagpipe could be

categorized into two separate genres of music. Ceol Mor, which is Gaelic for “Big Music”, is used to

describe the classical laments played by the pipers. In contrast, Ceol Beag, the Gaelic words for “Little

Music”, describes the upbeat dances and jigs.

The different types of music were played for various events in the town in which the piper lived

(“Bagpipes”).
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The bagpipes first arrived in the Scottish Lowlands before reaching the Highlands. The piping

traditions of both regions differ in several ways. For instance, the Lowland pipers were hired and paid

by the town's wealthy to provide service for the one town only. In contrast, the Highland pipers were

hired by the chief of the clan, in which they worked for, and provided their service to that particular

clan. The role in which the piper held was similar in some respects. In both regions of Scotland, the

pipers were expected to provide music for daily activities, festivals, and ceremonies (“History of the

Great Highland Bagpipe”). Due to the fact that most of the music played on the bagpipe was not

recorded in written works until much later, the role of the piper was passed down from father to son

(Cheape.). Including the MacCrimmons, Rankins, and MacArthurs these families became some of the

best known piping “dynasties” throughout the world. These families are also well known for setting up

schools in which young pipers would learn to play the music (Cannon.).

There was a time in which the bagpipes were discouraged from being played. It was during

Europe's “Witch-Craze” that the bagpipes were labeled the instrument of the devil because accused

witches claimed to have danced with the devil to the music of a bagpipe (Cheape.). Similarly, during

the reformation time period, the bagpipes were believed to have been “dipped in sin” and popularity in

the Lowlands died down. The Highlands, however, never faced such a problem, and the popularity of

the bagpipe rose until it outlasted that of the Lowland bagpipe (“History of the Great Highland

Bagpipes”).

Bagpipes were also used in times of war. The larger Highland bagpipe was the most common

instrument used during the battles that ensued in the Scottish countryside (Cheape.). Pipers were an

important part of the army because of the need for battle tunes as well as morale boosting. In fact, the

tradition of the war piper started from the medieval times and has persisted throughout Scottish history

(“Scottish Bagpipes”). Battles in which pipers were used included defense against French invaders

from 1627 (Allen.).

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The Jacobite wars in England and Scotland marked a turning point for the war pipers that

served in the army. In 1746, tensions between the Duke of Cumberland and the Jacobite clans under the

instruction of Bonnie Prince Charles, exploded at the Battle of Culloden. The Jacobite clans opened fire

on the government forces which resulted in a battle lasting only one hour but claimed many lives

including pipers (“The Culloden Battle”). One account tells of a piper by the name of James Reid who

was captured during the Battle of Culloden, and was executed because the use of the piper was seen as

vital to the army. Therefore, the bagpipe was an instrument of war (Collinson.). The Highland culture

suffered another blow when the Disarming Act of 1747 was passed. The Act banned certain aspects of

Scottish culture including, the wearing of kilts or tartan, and the speaking of the Gaelic language. Even

though bagpipes were not “banned” the use of them became discouraged and the bagpipes decreased in

popularity (Allen.). The survival of bagpipes through this dark time is often credited to the

MacCrimmons in Skye, as they are believed to have created the music type of piobairachd, or Ceol

Mor (“History of the Great Highland Bagpipe”). Eventually, as the years passed the harshness of the

Disarming Act began to fade until its effects were hardly felt by the late 1800's (Allen.).

Despite the adverse effects of the Culloden battle, the need for pipers for an army remained

strong even into modern warfare. Pipers in the British army served in both World Wars. A total of 1,000

pipers died as a result of these wars. Several accounts are given stating that in the trenches of World

War I, pipers were ordered to play as the soldiers marched through the pits in order to help morale. The

reason given for marching out of sight, is the pipers were easy targets, and therefore unsafe in the open

areas. Despite this, they would continue to play the battle tunes necessary for the boosting of morale.

In the 1980's another type of bagpipe became popular. The Scottish “smallpipes” are a smaller

substitute for the much larger Highland Bagpipe. The smallpipes would become popular as instruments

that play the upbeat music of Ceol Mor. The smallpipe is also used as a training or practice instrument

because of its easy size (“Scottish Bagpipes”). Piping tradition has also endured throughout the years.
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In today's society, bagpipes are used in various events and celebrations, not just in Scotland, but across

the globe. In fact, following a similar tradition of the Highland pipers, Queen Elizabeth II has a piper

who plays music as she awakens in the morning. Other members of the royal court also enjoy the

luxury of personal pipers (“Scottish Bagpipes: A Brief History”).

In conclusion, the bagpipes have maintained a firm connection with the Scottish culture and its

people. They are played at funerals, weddings, and in the heat of battle. Bagpipes have deep roots in

Scottish and Irish history, and they are significant in war and times of peace. The sound of bagpipes can

strengthen the heart of a soldier, as well as initiate tears from mourners at a wake or funeral. Never has

an instrument awakened the pride and tradition of a culture as the bagpipes, and they can be heard from

the highlands, the isles, and beyond.