Bagpipe making (Northumbrian pipes, smallpipes and bellows blown pipes)

The origin of bagpipe making in the UK is unclear. What is certain, however, is that bagpipes have existed in various forms in Europe and the Middle East since the early middle ages. The first written reference to a bagpipe in England is 1285/86 in the household accounts of Edward I, noting the payment to a player. The first surviving record of bagpipes in Scotland is dated circa 1400.

In each country the construction of the basic instrument comprises the same component parts; an air supply, a bag with a chanter and usually with one or more drones. Pipes are inflated with air blown through a pipe (as with the Great Highland Bagpipes) or by the use of bellows as with the Irish uilleann pipes, pastoral pipes, border and lowland pipes, Scottish smallpipes and Northumbrian smallpipes. Historically, bagpipes were mouth blown and bellows began to appear in the 16th century.

The name bagpipe has now become synonymous with the Great Highland Bagpipe, which has somewhat overshadowed other bagpipes. The 1980s in Europe saw a significant increase in interest in other regional pipes, particularly smallpipes that are quieter and more suitable to indoor use. This has, in turn, stimulated a revival in makers recreating and relearning bagpipe making skills. From the 1990s in the UK, pipemakers like Jon Swayne and Julian Goodacre have led a revival in recreating historical pipes including English Border pipes, the Cornish double pipe and the Leicestershire smallpipe.

Northumbrian pipes

The current form of the pipes was developed by makers in Newcastle-on-Tyne and North Shields towards the end of the 18th century, when the addition of chanter keys extended the melodic range of the chanter beyond an octave. This allowed pipers to explore the fiddle repertoire as well as the older pipe tunes of the region. Playing tunes with different key signatures required a variety of drone tunings which led to the addition of more drones, stoppers to turn off those which conflicted with the melody, and tuning beads to widen the selection of pitches.

Border pipes

Border pipes is a generic term applied to bagpipes that have – usually – 3 drones in a common stock and a relatively loud chanter (but quieter than a Highland pipe). They may be either bellows or mouth blown. The term “border bagpipe” is applied to both lowland-border and “Southern” English border pipes. These pipes are capable of performing a wide repertoire, from traditional lowland/border tunes, as well as traditional English and European music. Particularly used for accompanying dancing.

Uilleann Pipes

The uilleann pipes are a type of bagpipe native to Ireland, known for their rich tonal quality and expressive range. Unlike the more forceful Scottish Highland pipes, uilleann pipes are played using a bellows system, which the musician operates with their arm to inflate the bag, allowing for a more delicate and controlled sound. The instrument consists of a chanter, which plays the melody, a set of drones that provide a constant harmonic background, and regulators, which add rhythmic chords.

A list of bagpipe makers and suppliers can be found on the Bagpipe Society’s website.

• Woodwork
• Reed Making
• Leather work
• Cover making
• Metalwork
• Bellows making

There are several types of bagpipe traditional to the UK, including:

• Highland pipes (Great Highland Bagpipes)
• Northumbrian smallpipes
• Uilleann pipe – associated with Ireland but do exist in Northern Ireland
• Border pipe
• Scottish smallpipe
• Pastoral pipe

A number of regional bagpipes have been recreated from historical texts and illustrations. These include:

• Leicestershire smallpipe
• Lincolnshire bagpipes
• Cornish double pipe
• Pibcorn (Welsh bagpipe)
• Medieval/Renaissance style bagpipes

• Bag making
• Reed making – this is considered an essential skill.
• Bellows making

• Training and recruitment: Bagpipes makers, excluding the main Great Highland Pipe making companies, are largely self-taught and there are no opportunities for formal training
• Skills: There are a lot of different skills necessary for making bagpipes including wood work, leather work, metal work and reed making. It is challenging to become skilled in all these areas.
• Market issues: From the playing perspective, these pipes have never been stronger, both in numbers and quality of musicians. However, pipes are frequently a lifetime purchase and buying a new set, although players may have more than one type. Finding makers is increasingly difficult and waiting times for a new instrument can be in excess of 2 years.
• Market issues: there is a growing market in the UK but the revival of the instrument has also happened internationally. There are makers of a variety of bagpipes in North America, Australia and Northern Europe
• Market issues: The supply for Uilleann pipes is being satisfied by pipe makers in the Republic of Ireland, but maintenance and the supply of reeds can be an issue in the UK.
• Market issues: the bigger manufacturers are starting to make small pipes, which could affect individual businesses in the future but does also demonstrate the increase in demand.
• Selling overseas: Some overseas markets are now difficult to access due to additional costs and paperwork. It is also difficult to accept pipes back from overseas for servicing and renovation due to import duty.
• Sourcing raw materials: Legislation to protect exotic timbers and other materials can be challenging for certain pipes, traditionally made in blackwood, such as Uilleann pipes.
• Sourcing raw materials: Some materials are becoming very scarce and/or expensive.

• The Northumbrian Pipers’ Society
• The Bagpipe Society
• National Piping Centre 
• The Lowland and Border Pipers’ Society
• The Fellowship of Makers and Researchers of Historic Instruments 
• Na Píobairí Uilleann

There are also a number of piping clubs in the UK who support both makers and players.

There are no formal training opportunities for bagpipe making in the UK.

Training in Ireland

PipeCraft is Na Píobairí Uilleann’s instrument making training centre. They offer a course in partnership with the City of Dublin FET College.

Irish Traditional Music Performance and Traineeship in Instrument Making, Repair and Maintenance Level 6

A list of bagpipe makers and suppliers can be found on the Bagpipe Society’s website.

Border pipes, Scottish smallpipes, Lowland pipes, Uilleann pipes and other pipes:

• Jon Swayne (English border pipes and Pastoral Pipes)
• Mike York (works with by Jon Swayne)
• Julian Goodacre (not currently taking orders) A wide variety of historical models of pipes, including Cornish pipes, English pipes and Leicestershire smallpipes)
• Sean Jones (Uilleann, English and border pipes)
• Hubert Kwisthout, Irish Uilleann Pipes
• Hamish and Fin Moore (Scottish Smallpipes)
• Ian Kinnear (Scottish Small Pipes)
• Ross Calderwood, Lochalsh Pipes (Scottish Smallpipes)
• John Burke (Northumbrian Smallpipes)
• Jim Parr (English bagpipes, historical models)
• Nicholas Konradsen (Lincolnshire bagpipes and Swedish säckpipa)
• Andy Faden, (Uilleann Pipes)
• Chris Coe (Uilleann Pipes)
• Alan Waldron, Stirling Bagpipes
• Burgess bagpipes (Scottish smallpipes, border pipes and Highland bagpipes)
• Malin Lewis – 3d printed pipes
• Kenny McNicoll  (Uilleann Pipes)
• Gordon Galloway (Uilleann Pipes)
• Fred Morrison (Scottish smallpipes and Uilleann)
• Ray Sloan (Uilleann Pipes)
• Dave Wardell, Kilberry Bagpipes

Northumbrian pipes:

There are no full time makers of Northumbrian Pipes, making them one of the most endangered forms of bagpipe. A list of makers and reedmakers is available from the Northumbrian Pipers Society. 

• Andy May
• Kim Bull
• Philip Gruar
• Paul Tabbush
• Andy Lawrenson ( primarily repairs and maintenance)
• Nigel Barlow
• Andrew Davison
• John Burke
• Dave McQuade

Suppliers:

• Lawrence Thomson – pipe bag and bellows maker
• Mark Bennett – bag maker
• Iain McLeod – bellows maker

This craft uses products derived from animals and exotic hardwoods – please read our ethical sourcing statement.

Many instruments are now made using native hardwoods including boxwood and fruitwoods.

• Mike Nelson has instructions and plans for making Northumbrian smallpipes on his website.
• Members of the The Bagpipe Society have access to a members’ resources page which has links to a number of plans of different types of bagpipe, including G border pipes, Spanish Gaita and medieval bagpipes. https://www.bagpipesociety.org.uk/

Our thanks go to our 2025 reviewers:

• The Bagpipe Society
• John Burke, Lowland & Border Pipers’ Society
• Ruari Black and David Wardell
• Kilberry Bagpipes, Edinburgh
• Hubert Kwisthout, Irish Uilleann Pipes

We consult with a wide range of practitioners and organisations to review and update the Red List. Some choose to remain anonymous but all feedback is taken into account.

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