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5713784
bagpipe
Photo Archive Server

Artifact Number72-717
Current Cultural AffiliationsScottish
All AffiliationsScottish (culture)
Canadian (culture)
Category06: tools and equipment for communication
Sub-categoryF060: musical tools and equipment
Place of OriginCountry - United Kingdom, Scotland
Place of UseCountry - France
Country - Canada, Province - Ontario
MeasurementsLength 103.0 cm, Width 37.0 cm, Thickness 11.0 cm
Artist / Maker / ManufacturerHenderson Co
Person / InstitutionAssociated Military Personnel, Scott, Pipe Major Sam
Latest Possible Date1939/12/31
Historical Events1939-1945 Second World War, 1944, June 6th D-Day
CaptionHighland Bagpipe, Scotland, 1945
Additional InformationPipe Major Sam Scott, to whom these pipes belonged, was perhaps Canada's most famous piper. A member of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, when they went overseas with the Canadian Army, after the Second World War broke out in 1939, he took this Scottish Highland bagpipe with him. He piped Canadian troops onto the Normandy beaches on D-Day and served in the European Theatre throughout the war. Many people believe that only the Scots play bagpipes; but, in fact, they are a musical instrument known in many parts of the world. Bagpipes known as the gaida are still played in Bulgaria and in other parts of the Balkans, for example, and the pipes are also played in parts of Arabia, in Spain, France and the Ukraine. In Ireland, they play special bagpipes which are not blown, but actually pumped by the elbow alone. All bagpipes have drones and a double-reed chanter. In Canada, we tend to think of bagpipes as the Highland variety, with several drones and a chanter which is fingered by the piper to make the melody. Inside the chanter is a double reed, much like the reed of an oboe or bassoon. The two parts of the reed vibrate together to make the characteristic tone. Highland bagpipers have led soldiers into battle for centuries, and the harsh sound has alternately thrilled and terrified friend or foe. You can see why First World War Scottish soldiers, with their screaming pipes and swinging kilts, were nicknamed "The Ladies from Hell".
Multimedia
5713785
Photo Archive Server
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257506
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239896
CD95-183
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233728
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S73-1184
233731
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233734
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S73-1186





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