Scottish Bagpipes
Special Guest
Cassandra Calo
In this episode of Scotland in Our Backyard, Ewan the Unicorn meets Scottish bagpiper Cassie Calo to explore the powerful sounds and history of the Highland bagpipes. Kids will discover how this iconic instrument connects music, culture, and heritage—one drone hum at a time!
Download the full activity pack here for free
Scottish Highland Bagpipes with Cassandra Calo
What We're Learning Today
-
What are Scottish Highland Bagpipes?
-
How bagpipes are played and how they work
-
Why bagpipes are important in Scottish history and heritage
-
What “drones” and “chanters” do in the music
-
How music connects us to the past and our own family heritage
Activity Packs
Activity #1: Bagpipe Coloring Page
Color your very own set of bagpipes! Add tartan patterns or draw yourself playing them like Cassie!
Activity #2: Label-the-Bagpipe Worksheet
Learn what each part of the bagpipes is called—blowpipe, bag, drones, and chanter—then match them on your sheet!
Activity #3: Design Your Own Tartan
Use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to design a special tartan pattern just for you!
Activity #4: Scottish Sound Hunt
Listen closely during the episode! Can you hear a high note? A drone? A beat that makes you want to dance?
Activity #5: My Heritage Story Starter
Start thinking about where your family might have come from. Do you have Scottish roots like Cassie? Write or draw your story!
In The Classroom
Discussion Questions for the Classroom
-
What makes the sound of the bagpipes different from other instruments?
-
Why do you think bagpipes were used for marching and ceremonies?
-
How did it feel to hum along with the drone?
-
Have you ever heard music that reminded you of your family or culture?
-
What kind of music do you think your ancestors listened to?
Curriculum Connection
NC K–5 Standards:
🎵 Music:
- Identify and describe the parts of an instrument
- Respond to musical timbres, tempo, and dynamics
- Understand historical and cultural connections in music
📚 Language Arts:
- Listening and oral expression
- Vocabulary and informational texts
🌍 Social Studies:
- Culture and traditions
- Exploring family heritage and identity
🗣️ World Languages:
-
Awareness of other languages and cultures through music and vocabulary
Extension Ideas
-
Have students try “blowing up a bag” (balloon activity!) and pretend to play a chanter
-
Try a drone hum challenge: who can hum the longest like a drone pipe?
-
Draw a scene of a marching piper at a Highland gathering
-
Host a “Tartan Day” where everyone wears their own tartan designs
-
Invite students to talk to a family member about where their ancestors lived
-
Write or act out a scene where you introduce yourself with your musical talent—like Cassie and the bagpipes!
More From This Series:
Scotland In Our Backyard is a video series celebrating Scottish heritage in North Carolina — created by the Scottish Cultural Outreach Foundation with support from NC Humanities.
Explore the full series on YouTube
This program is supported in part by North Carolina Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, www.nchumanities.org
