Red List Comment Submission

Commenting on: Bagpipe making (Northumbrian pipes, smallpipes and bellows blown pipes)

Section one - About you

Section two - Description of the craft

If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions

Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.

If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.

Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/

Section three - Current numbers of those practising the craft in the UK

People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).

People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.

People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.

People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.

People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.

Section four - Issues affecting the viability of the craft

Existing content:
  • 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.

e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools

If yes, please describe the issues below

i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts

If yes, please describe the issues below

Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict

If yes, please describe the issues below

Please describe any other issues

Section five - Current Initiatives to preserve craft skills

Please describe any UK projects or schemes

Section six - Main players in the craft – please tell us who you know about

Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.

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Section seven - Optional additional information

It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.

e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.

e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.

This may involve different materials, techniques, styles or finished products.

e.g. books, websites etc.