When the Highlands and Islands of Scotland adopted the bagpipe, perhaps some four hundred years ago, they began to develop the instrument and its music to suit their needs and tastes.

What emerged was the instrument we know today as the Great Highland Bagpipe, and a form of music, piobaireachd, which is unique to the instrument.  It is a very stylized form of music. There is freedom in the theme or "ground" of the piobaireachd to express joy, sadness, or sometimes in the "gathering" tunes , a peremptory warning or call to arms.

Thereafter the theme is repeated and underlined in a series of variations, which usually progress to the "crunluath" variation, where the piper's fingers give a dazzling technical display of embellishment or gracenotes.

Why not listen to a tune.... here's a recording of R U Brown playing "The Old Womans Lullaby"

You can hear more tunes in the "Sound Clips" section, on the left of every page of the website.

Our website has separate sections for visitors, and members of the Piobaireachd Society. If you are not a member, why not join? The new member's area has many sound clips (see list HERE ), proceedings of all previous conferences, and many articles about piobaireachd.

The rest of the website is open to all visitors. To join, see the "How to Join" button on the left of every page. If you want to see what is new, look at the News button on the top of every page. There is also a Contacts button - if you have any questions, please get in touch.