The last artisan bagpipe makers

[slb609]

Kilberry Bagpipes, the subject of that video.

Leaving Kilberry and Clan Bagpipes as Edinburgh's only makers? Neither with a high reputation amongst pipers I know.

I have no skin in this game at all, but I've been taking lessons at Kilberry for about 6 months, and have a little bit of loyalty to consider them for my first set purchase. I'm curious as to why you say they don't have a good reputation? I like the guys, and I know that they're both excellent (grade 1 level band) players, though Dave doesn't play anymore.

I'm not in a band, and I don't think I have that level of spare time/commitment to joining one, but I just want to learn for its own sake. Is there something you know/are aware of that means I shouldn't buy a set of Kilberrys? I think I'll be able to pretty much dictate the look of them, but I'm guessing they'll all sound the same because the insides/bores and placement of holes will be standard across them all? Of course, asking them what the quality of their pipes are against a set of McCallums (which are CNC produced) won't necessarily get me a straight answer. And now that Sinclair is back ... who knows?

Thanks in advance for any advice/opinions given.

[OC Richard]

I have no skin in this game at all, but I've been taking lessons at Kilberry for about 6 months, and have a little bit of loyalty to consider them for my first set purchase. I'm curious as to why you say they don't have a good reputation? I like the guys, and I know that they're both excellent (grade 1 level band) players, though Dave doesn't play anymore.

If there are pipers playing Kilberry pipes in top-level solo piping competitions I've not heard about it.

Of course I wouldn't have any way of knowing everything! But after Winter Storm (for example) there are online threads where every top-level competitor's drone and chanter makes are discussed.

As you know traditionally top-level pipers have favoured vintage "classic" drones by Henderson, MacDougall, Robertson, etc. and around 20 years ago many began playing newer Naill drones and more recently drones by Dave Atherton.

There don't seem to be all that many different makers being represented at the top level.