The bagpipes were Sally-Anne Richter’s first and only set. 

“They are quite different to other sets around as they are made out of Australian gidgee wood and by a Victorian bagpipe maker,” she said. 

While the bagpipes are not expensive, they hold great sentimental value to Ms Richter and she has been searching for them since she realised they were missing at 12.35am. 

“Last night I was performing with the St Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band between 7:30pm and midnight,” she said. 

The band brought the new year in outside the rowing club.

“After playing we were invited inside the North Esk Rowing Club to have a drink with the guests. I placed my bagpipes on a deck chair on the rowing club's balcony, facing Lindsay St,” Ms Richter said.   

The bagpipes were last seen at 12.15am, but they were not on the chair when Ms Richter went to leave at 12.35am. 

“We searched high and low around the rowing club, along the river banks, and walked around the Silo Hotel and back through the Bunnings carpark, but they couldn't be found,” she said. 

Police were notified about 2am. 

“This morning I searched the banks of the Tamar River and North Esk again with no success,” Ms Richter said. 

There was a report that a man was walking with the bagpipes near the Seaport pedestrian bridge. He is described as being average height, in his early 20s with scruffy hair. 

Anyone with information about the bagpipes, which are pictured above, is asked to call Tasmania Police on 131 444.