Although the Scottish or Great Highland Bagpipes (GHB) are popular all around the World, in Bulgaria they have their own bagpipe – the Gajda.  Not dissimilar to the Scottish bagpipes. Both have a chanter with eight holes, a leather bag and drone accompaniment. Bulgarian pipes have a lower pitch than Scottish pipes. The Gajda has one drone and a much bigger bag, made from a whole goatskin while the GHB have a smaller bag with a seam. The chanter is the pipe on which the melody is played. Bulgarian gaida have a conical bore and are made from boxwood (shimshir) cornel wood, plum wood or other fruit wood.

Played solo or in a group – both Bulgarian and Great Highland Bagpipes provide highly engaging music.

100 Bulgarian Bagpipes – Rozhen Festival

Massed Pipe Bands – Army Cadets, Cameron Barracks