bagpipes
A wind instrument using enclosed reeds fed by a constant air supply from a bag.
In Depth
Bagpipes consist of a bag (traditionally made from animal skin), a blowpipe to inflate it, a chanter for playing the melody, and one or more drones that sustain continuous bass notes. The constant air pressure from the bag means the instrument never stops sounding — there are no rests or silence between notes.
While most associated with Scotland, bagpipes exist in many cultures. The Spanish gaita, Irish uilleann pipes, Bulgarian gaida, and Turkish tulum are all members of the bagpipe family. The Great Highland Bagpipe became a symbol of Scottish identity and has been used in military contexts for centuries.
The Great Highland Bagpipe is so loud (up to 111 decibels) that it was classified as a weapon of war by the British courts after the Battle of Culloden in 1746.