The origin of bagpipes
When you think about bagpipes, you automatically associate them with Scotland. The origin of bagpipes however are nowhere near the Highlands of Scotland but
presumably lie somewhere in the Middle East, in ancient Mesopotamia. Thanks to troubadours (traveling musicians) the instrument reached several places throughout Europe. The Romans also played a major part in the distribution of the bagpipes. The Roman army used to 
march to bagpipe music. Some historians even suggest that Emperor Nero was a piper himself. The Romans introduced the bagpipes into Scotland. In those days Scotland was known as "Caledonia". In Scotland the bagpipes started to lead a life of their own, but the pipes developed in different ways in other countries are the Musette in France, the Gaita in Spain and Portugal, the Zumarah in Egypt, the Uillean pipes in Ireland, and many more.
The French Musette
(Van Dyck)
S. E. Wyoming Pipe Band
P.O. Box 21133 Cheyenne, WY 82003
Phone (307) 634-6856
Send e-mail to pipeband"at"bresnan.net In order to reduce spam mail I have not posted the e-mail address as a direct mail link, when entering the e-mail address you have to replace "at" with the @ sign.
