Piping Museum, Glasgow

There are a lot of traditions linked to Scotland: Hogmanay, haggis, tartan, kilts and most of all the bagpipe. No trip to Glasgow is complete without visiting the Piping Museum on Hope Street.

The first bagpipe perhaps originated around Egypt in the time of the great pharaohs or in Samaria – in fact its exact origins are a little hazy, but it has been recorded in several ancient texts around Europe and the Near East for many thousands of years.

How this particular instrument arrived in Scotland is a matter of speculation, but the museum deals with over 300 years of piping history: from the simple single-drone bagpipes made from goat or sheep skin and a reed taken from the edge of a pond or lake, to the elaborate affairs you see today.

In the museum you will learn how the bagpipe started out by being used by shepherds to while away the hours of guarding their flock to its becoming the national musical instrument of Scotland, played in the royal court and part of highly-prized collections by kings.

You will see bagpipes from all over Europe, including the oldest Highland bagpipe chanter in the world, which belonged to Iain Dell McKay in the 17th century. In the museum’s workshops you will see how the instrument is made and watch video documentaries about the history and culture of pipe music.