This bagpipe, once believed to be the oldest bagpipe in existence, was owned by Robert Glen, son of Thomas Glen and one of the brothers of the famed J & R Glen Bagpipes. It passed to the Scottish Society of Antiquaries upon Robert’s death in 1911. It is carved throughout and the date 1409 is carved into the drone stock. For many years it was thought to be the oldest bagpipe in existence.
Experts have since attributed the bagpipe to Robert Glen. The inspiration for the bagpipe may well be as seen in the famous painting of 1714, “The Piper to the Laird of Grant.” I have an oil on canvas copy of that painting hanging in my office.
