I posted this question on bobdunsire.com and thought I would post it here as well.

I just started re-reading Roderick Cannon's "The Highland Bagpipe And Its Music", 1995. In describing the instrument he makes mention of the use of sealskin as one of the materials for pipe bags, something I didn't recall seeing when I previously read the book.

I find that interesting as I don't ever recall hearing sealskin being a material used for pipe bags, let alone commonly used. Could anyone comment on this?

I'm sure any hide could be used but the fact he listed it first, with sheepskin next would seem to indicate some degree of prevalence, at least at some point. I guess I started playing shortly after the Marine Mammal Act of 1972 would have effectively killed this option in the US, so maybe that's why I am unfamiliar with its use. Was it a popular option in the UK or elsewhere at some point? If so, were its properties good?

I recognize this is a totally academic question but now my curiosity is piqued. My understanding was that Cannon is an authoritative source, so I'm assuming this has some good basis.