What Is ‘Made in Scotland’ Worth?

[OC Richard]

Any experienced piper can tell Pakistan pipes a mile away...

Yes they can, but sadly the people buying the pipes aren't experienced pipers, they're people (usually Americans) who have always wanted to give the pipes a go, and when in Scotland Itself buy a bagpipe that they imagine surely must be Scottish-made.

Or the parent (usually American) who takes the opportunity while in Scotland to buy a set for their child, or nephew or niece, who has long expressed an interest in the pipes.

It's like the foreign tourist who, in a Native American jewellry shop here in the American Southwest, purchases an "authentic Native American" bracelet or necklace made in China.

BTW there are some Pakistani bagpipes which are more difficult to suss out. Yes we see all the super-cheap Sheesham Wood pipes with nasty aluminium mounts, but the Pakistani makers also make pipes from Ebony and African Blackwood, with real ivory and hand-engraved Sterling Silver mounts. These can be difficult, even for experts, to distinguish in photos from legit pipes.

Until you stick reeds in there and try to play them! Then it's revealed that they're an ISO, not a musical instrument.