A centre dedicated to the national instrument of the Scots in the heart of Glasgow: the National Piping Centre shows the history and supports musicians.
It’s even harder than it looks: Squeezing even one note out of the bagpipes takes some time, even with the help of a master piper at your side. With a bit of luck, visitors can experience this for themselves at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow. Here, everything revolves around the Scottish national instrument.
The National Piping Centre’s mission is to provide a point of contact and support for musicians, students and interested parties. There are rehearsal rooms, courses of all lengths, accommodation and much more.
The Museum of Piping in the centre is well worth a first visit. It displays the international history of the bagpipes in showcases and on display boards. Exhibits come from Spain, Italy, Hungary and Poland.
The pipes from Scotland on display date back around 300 years. And one special instrument was made by John MacColl – something of a superstar of the bagpipe scene. MacColl lived from 1860 to 1943, during which time he not only perfected his playing, but also composed important marches.
MacColl also won many competitions. And these are also given space in the museum. On display, for example, is the silver chanter, the “flute” on the bagpipes, which is awarded as a prize. The medals of Pipe Major Robert Reid, another superstar of the scene, are also on display.
Although not everyone gets to play a practice bagpipe (this depends on who is on site from the Piping Centre), there are usually practice flutes on display. Here you can at least try out your first notes.
At some times there are guided tours in the museum (the author was able to enjoy this tour), where the guide also helps you to play the practice bagpipes. Which is not so easy. If you prefer to listen to real music, the shop in the entrance area of the exhibition offers interesting CDs by well-known and lesser-known musicians.
The National Piping Centre is something for bagpipe enthusiasts and repeat visitors to Glasgow. And it is definitely worth supporting.
What you need to know: About the National Piping Centre
The National Piping Centre is a registered charity in Scotland. Its patron is King Charles III.
Most of the exhibits in the Museum of Piping come from the collection of National Museums Scotland, which also includes the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
How to get there
The National Piping Centre is located in Glasgow city centre. It is therefore difficult to get there by car. It is around a quarter of an hour’s walk from George Square and the City Chambers. You can stroll along the shopping street Buchanan Street.
The Piping Centre is close to Cowcaddens underground station and there are also buses, most of which stop at the Theatre Royal opposite the Piping Centre.