Scotland's National Piping Centre and Bagpipe Museum
The deep, deep, hum of a bagpipe is something you hear all over Scotland, from the buskers to the castle troops and for everything from competitions to pure entertainment. Bagpipes have supplied the musical backdrop for the amazing scenery of Scotland since the 1400s.
And you can learn all about them at Scotland’s National Piping Centre and Bagpipe Museum in Glasgow. They track the history of the bagpipes, how the design has changed and how bagpipes came to be the instrument of the country. Plus they are excited to track the future of the art form.
I mean, taking it up in school, even now, is a commitment. But some people hear the beauty of the bagpipes. They revel in the meaning of it’s history and strive to celebrate it. I’ll admit, some feel it’s just a bunch of noise. But you really need to try and consider its history before you go there. Some have put it to use with pop music, other sticki to it’s historical place.
But no one can tell me it’s not the perfect backdrop for visiting castles in both Scotland and Ireland. It just feels right as a soundtrack.
You can see how the pipes have evolved over time and, see famous pipers of the past, and even try a chanter for yourself. And if you play it cool, chances are that the docents there to explain things to you, are also players themselves. At least I can say that those I’ve talked to, manning the museum, excited about bagpipes, happy to talk bagpipes, an with alittle prodding will play a few tunes for you, if you ask.
If you are lucky, you may catch a few pipers. But you can hear the pipes and the history in this episode of Erin’s Isle as well. Just click the audio bar at the top of this story.