The Bagpipes - A Cultural and Musical History: Richard McLauchlan and John Mulhearn with Fergus Muirhead

Music, Scotland, History

Writer, broadcaster, and musician Fergus Muirhead spends an afternoon in the company of two fellow pipers to discuss their books and enjoy a tune or two.

Author Richard McLauchlan is our sure-footed guide to the fascinating history of the bagpipes, sharing stories from his new book The Bagpipes: A Cultural History. Although commonly associated with Scotland, the pipes are played across the globe, illuminating societies in remarkable and unexpected ways. Richard charts the rise of women pipers, investigates class, privilege, and capitalism in the piping world, and explores how a 'national instrument' can shift in meaning amidst the currents of identity.

Joining Richard is the Piping Centre’s own John Mulhearn, who discusses his new book, Let Piping Flourish. A love letter to Glasgow’s rich piping heritage, this hardback volume showcases 230 tunes from more than 100 composers. With a wealth of photographs and historical anecdotes, it’s as much a visual treasure as a musical one. Part archive, part anthology, part tribute, it’s the first tune book of its kind.