3/4 McRae Highland bagpipe

Description

These 3/4 pipes are original Duncan McRaes.

Duncan McRae had an engineering background and was not a piper, however he used his considerable skills and imagination to create an interesting and what is now regarded as a classic bagpipe.

MacRae bagpipes were made in Glasgow from 1897 to 1952. The company was started by Duncan MacRae, who was an innovative man and patented several novel inventions for the bagpipe. Duncan died in 1930, his son James ran the business until his death in 1951. The business was sold to Grainger and Campbell in 1952.

He is best known for the hempless tuning slides. Each set of McRae pipes I have restored has had the 1909 Patent warning and the full reference number on each tuning slide.

He also invented the idea of ‘screwing’ your bag on, with a blackwood threaded nut, rather than tying on with string. It seems he suffered from a severe case of stringophobia!

This set is in African blackwood with nickel ferrules and artificial ivory bushes and ringcaps. The set is in good condition and has no chips or blemishes. The McRae tuning pin feature is here but the stocks are the normal grove style.

This set can be bought as ‘sticks only’ to reduce the price. Please call to discuss it.