NPS Video

The Northumbrian Pipes’ is a term covering two different types of bagpipe played in the region. These are The Northumbrian Smallpipes and the Border or Half-Long pipes. The Northumbrian Smallpipes are a melodious, bellows blown bagpipe. They are rather quiet by comparison with other bagpipes and are normally played indoors. The chanter has a closed end and is played with closed fingering, giving a unique staccato character. Three drones are normally used as accompaniment. The current form of the pipes was developed by makers in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and North Shields towards the end of the 18th century. The Society also supports the Border or Half-long pipes (also known in Scotland as the Lowland pipes). These are also bellows-blown but have an open-ended, conical-bored chanter and are somewhat louder than the Smallpipes. Also known variously as the ‘common pipes’ or even just the ‘big pipes’, they were played throughout most of Northern England and Scotland.