Basic Maintenance of the Scottish Bagpipe

For many years we have been making and sending Highland and Scottish smallpipes to the four corners of the world. We often wonder what happens to them, who is playing them, how they are being looked after... and so on.

After much discussion, we finally decided it was time to put pen to paper - as well as make use of our new digital camera - and produce something which we hope will be of great assistance to many players throughout the world.

Without getting over-technical, our aim was to produce an informative yet simple guide to setting up and looking after your instrument. We have written this on the presumption that the person reading it knows nothing whatsoever or very little about bagpipes.

We hope you will find this of interest and assistance, but if you need further information we will be happy to answer any questions you might have. For fastest results, email us on info@kilberry.com

Good luck with your piping!

Dave Wardell & Neil Manderson

Dave Wardell and Neil Manderson grew up playing pipes in Edinburgh, Scotland. From a young age both took private lessons and successfully competed in solo and pipe band contests at the highest level. Pipe bands they have competed with include Shotts and Dykehead, Polkemmet and Dysart and Dundonald - all Grade One bands.

Dave started making bagpipes at the age of 16 when he left school, and between them they now own and run Kilberry Bagpipes - one of the world's leading bagpipe makers.

There is nothing about the instrument that they do not know. They are asked a multitude of different questions on a weekly basis and the experience of running the Kilberry business has enabled them to produce this book.

Many new players, especially those without the aid of a "one on one" teacher, will find the bagpipe a very complex and puzzling instrument. It can also be a very frustrating instrument at times. Hopefully, the information you are about to read will help make your bagpipe playing life a lot easier.

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