The pictures above are of a bagpipe made by Thomas Glen that is now part of Andrew Ross Jr’s personal collection. It is quite unique and has inspired only a few similar sets.
It’s always so difficult to identify bagpipes with absolute certainty. I have no doubt that we have other examples of Thomas Glen’s work in the “unknown” gallery however without stamps being visible, or other iron-clad evidence, we must sadly pass and simply suggest that it may be his work. These next pictures above are courtesy of Andreas Hartmann-Virnich. His primary passion and expertise is in early 19th century bagpipes and those made earlier. This bagpipe now resides within the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments (EUCHMI). These pipes date from ca. 1860 and are stamped THOS GLEN / EDINr on the original chanter stock. The chanter pictured is an early J&R Glen however was later replaced with a Thos. Glen chanter.
The Thomas Glen bagpipes above are “reel” size. The first set is rosewood with bone mounts. The chanter, made of cocuswood, is stamped THOS GLEN / EDINr circled by 2 NORTH BANK STREET and is believed to be original to the set. The second set, also reel size, was found in New Zealand and conforms in every way to early Thomas Glen bagpipes.
The images above show some of the stamps that may be found on practice chanters, pipe chanters, and other elements of bagpipes made by Thomas Glen. THOS GLEN / EDINr circled by 2 NORTH BANK STREET
The Thomas Glen bagpipe pictured to the left was a presentation set complete with wooden carry case, an extremely rare find.
