The New Student's Reference Work/Bagpipe

Bag'pipe, a wind instrument still common in the highlands of Scotland, and in use in some other countries. At different times it has been used in all parts of Europe. It is a large bag made of leather, usually covered with cloth, having a mouth tube by which the player fills the bag with his breath. There is a pipe with finger-holes upon which the tune is played, and also three other pipes called drones, each of which constantly sounds a single low tone. Sometimes a bellows is used instead of the piper's breath to blow up the bag. The bagpipe is a very ancient instrument. It is spoken of in the Old Testament, and was used by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. It is the national instrument of the Scottish Highlanders, pipers being attached to their regiments and usually present at their festivals.