McGillivray Piping Inc. carries pipe bags and moisture control systems (MCS) made by three proven and accomplished bag makers: Bannytyne Ltd. and Canmore, both located in Scotland, and Lee & Sons, location in British Columbia, Canada.
I have personally played a synthetic pipe bag for nearly 30 years, as do many leading pipers. A school of thought exists widely that natural and leather bags can give your pipes a more vibrant tone. If this is indeed true, the difference is so minor that it applies to only the uppermost levels of piping. For 99% of the pipers in the world, the convenience and longevity of synthetic bags over the maintenance demands of natural bags far outweigh any minor tonal advantages. With this principle in mind, and with all due respect, I leave natural bags for the purists to source elsewhere.
Bannatyne Pipe Bags and Moisture Control Systems
Craig Bannatyne in West Lothian, Scotland, has also been one of the great innovators in synthetic pipe bags and bagpipe moisture control.
The concept of the Bannatyne “Hybrid” bag is the same: a hide external bag is covered on the inside with a breathable but airtight lining. The stocks snap into plastic grommets. Each bag has a heavy, airtight and durable zipper.
Perhaps the chief difference between Ross and Bannatyne bags is that the Bannatyne external is thicker and heavier than the Ross, giving perhaps a more solid feel under the arm. Each Bannatyne bag comes with a tube/bottle watertrap that can be hemped and fit into the bottom of the blowstick stock.
McGillivray Piping carries Bannatyne bags in five sizes. The height recommendations (with recommended blowpipe lengths) are mine, developed after many years of experience with the Bannatyne bags. These recommendations are not set in stone, and can depend on whether your build is heavy or slight. Bag sizes in inches below refer to the diameter of the bag from tip to bottom when deflated, and the length.
Each Bannatyne bag is guaranteed for two years against breakdown of the material, grommets or zip, provided the damage is not due to mistreatment. Installation of the bag is easy and instructions are provided.
Small
(9” x 24”)
- slightly smaller than the extended small.
- for pipers 5’ 5” or shorter, recommended blowpipe 8 inches or less (from mouthpiece tip to top of hemp).
Extended Small
(9.6” x 26.5”)
- slightly longer and deeper than the small.
- for pipers 5’ 5” to 5’ 8”, recommended blowpipe 8-9 inches (from mouthpiece tip to top of hemp).
Willie McCallum Custom
(10” x 27.5”)
- slightly deeper than the small, but the arch in front of the drones is cut away a bit to allow less bag contact with the forearm
- for pipers 5’ 7” to 6’, recommended blowpipe 9-10 inches (from mouthpiece tip to top of hemp).
Medium
(10.5” x 26.5”)
- slightly deeper than the Willie McCallum, with the standard Bannatyne shape.
- for pipers 5’ 10” to 6’ 2”, recommended blowpipe 10-11 inches (from mouthpiece tip to top of hemp).
Large
(11.5” x 29”)
- for pipers 6’ 3” and taller. Very few pipers will play a bag this size.
- recommended blowpipe 11-12 inches (from mouthpiece tip to top of hemp).
The Bannatyne Dri-Flo Moisture Control System
Developed as a collaboration between Craig Bannatyne and Willie McCallum, the Dri-Flo system does away with the canister, and places the desiccant beads inside the drone tubes, as shown in the photos.
The tubes can be hemped to fit into the drone stocks, or they can be fit into rubber sleeves that attach onto the bottom of the drones stocks, much like with the canister system shown below.
The orange beads turn dark green when they become saturated with water. The tubes can then be removed from the bag and the beads dried.
This system was released by the company in the spring of 2017 and is gaining popularity among top players.
Important: when using this system, consider a tube watertrap. Otherwise, you might find your chanter reed getting wet. The tube watertrap directs the incoming moist air to the back of the bag.
See the shopping cart below to purchase the Dri-Flo system.
The Bannatyne Canister Moisture Control System
Developed as a collaboration between Craig Bannatyne and Willie McCallum, the Dri-Flo system does away with the canister, and places the desiccant beads inside the drone tubes, as shown in the photos.
The tubes can be hemped to fit into the drone stocks, or they can be fit into rubber sleeves that attach onto the bottom of the drones stocks, much like with the canister system shown below.
The orange beads turn dark green when they become saturated with water. The tubes can then be removed from the bag and the beads dried.
This system was released by the company in the spring of 2017 and is gaining popularity among top players.
Important: when using this system, consider a tube watertrap. Otherwise, you might find your chanter reed getting wet. The tube watertrap directs the incoming moist air to the back of the bag.
See the shopping cart below to purchase the Dri-Flo system.
Similar to the Ross canister system, the Bannatyne MCS is based on the principle of the moist air blown into the bag passing through a desiccant-filled canister that reduces the moisture content. The moisture-reduced air then passes through tubes into the drone and chanter stocks.
There are a number of differences between the Bannatyne MCS and the Ross:
-The Bannatyne system uses dust-free desiccant beads.
-The drone tubes can fit onto the bottom of the stock using rubber sleeves rather than being inserted.
-The canister is a round cylinder rather than a rectangular box.
-The desiccant beads must be air-dried or dried in an oven.
-The system comes with an optional filter that fits onto the canister, acting like drone plugs to reduce drone noise during strike-in or stops.
-The desiccant beads change colour from orange to dark green when they become saturated with moisture
Installation of the bag and canister is well documented in the instructions provided.
You can purchase the canister system from the shopping cart below.
Canmore Pipe Bags
Canmore have been making synthetic pipe bags since the dawn of synthetic bags. Their hybrid bags have a great feel under the arm and are easy to install and remove. The Gore-Tex membrane inside the faux-leather allows the bag to be perfectly airtight without seasoning. All Canmore bags come in black only except the Canmore Beaumont bag which comes in tan only. Canmore bags come four sizes:
SMALL
9.5” deep, x 26.25” long, the Canmore choice for pipers under 5’6”
EXTENDED SMALL
9.5” x 27.25”, suitable for pipers up to 5’10”.
BEAUMONT
10” x 28.5”, fashioned as a custom bag for leading soloist Callum Beaumont, with a custom swan neck. Suitable for pipers 5’8”-6’.
MEDIUM
10.25” x 27.25”, suitable for pipers 5’10”-6’2”
LARGE
11” x 28.25”, suitable for pipers over 6’ tall.
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Canmore Small Hybrid Pipe Bag
9.5” deep, x 26.25” long, zipper, four grommets, the Canmore choice for pipers under 5’6”
$235.00 -
Canmore Extended Small Hybrid Pipe Bag
9.5” x 27.25”, zipper, four grommets, the Canmore choice for pipers up to 5’7”-5’10”
$235.00 -
Canmore ‘Beaumont’ Hybrid Pipe Bag
10” x 28.5”, zip, four grommets, fashioned with a custom swan neck for leading soloist Callum Beaumont, with a custom swan neck. Suitable for pipers 5’8”-6’.
$250.00 -
Canmore Medium Hybrid Pipe Bag
10.25” x 27.25”, zip, four grommets, suitable for pipers 5’10”-6’2”
$235.00 -
Canmore Large Hybrid Pipe Bag
11” x 28.25”, zip, four grommets, suitable for pipers over 6’ tall.
$235.00 -
Lee & Sons Cowhide Pipe Bag
We are delighted to produce pipe bags from the 4 excellent hides: Cowhide, Goatskin, Sheepskin and Sheepskin Premium. We have learned that there is a very dedicated group of “Hide Bag Players” around the world. Cowhide is the easiest to maintain of all the hides. It is extremely airtight, requires almost no seasoning, almost never leaks and produces a beautiful, natural sound. We are also very pleased to offer the “Gandy” cut. This bag was designed by Bruce Gandy, one of the world’s great pipers. Just let us know which pipe bag is best suited for you.
Price range: $275.00 through $375.00 -
Lee & Sons Goatskin Pipe Bag
Goatskin is very close to sheepskin in tonal quality. We would say you can get about 90% of the greatness of sheep with much less maintenance. When a goatskin is going well you can hardly tell the difference from sheepskin. Goatskin usually need less seasoning, costs the same but lasts longer. Goatskin is very good value for the money. We are also very pleased to offer the “Gandy” cut. This bag was designed by Bruce Gandy, one of the world’s great pipers. Just let us know which pipe bag is best suited for you.
Price range: $499.00 through $599.00 -
Lee & Sons Sheepskin Pipe Bag
Sheepskin is often regarded as the “best” hide for many players. When a sheepskin pipe bags is at its best it is hard to beat for tone, richness, resonance and harmonics. There is a little extra magic in the sound when sheepskin is being played and serious pipers and top pipe bands know this. But the trade-off is that it requires more maintenance than other bags. Most grade 1 pipe bands play sheepskin because to them the extra bit of work is well worth it to get the special sound.
We are also very pleased to offer the “Gandy” cut. This bag was designed by Bruce Gandy, one of the world’s great pipers. Just let us know which pipe bag is best suited for you.
Price range: $499.00 through $599.00 -
Lee & Sons Sheepskin Premium Pipe Bag
Sheepskin Premium is an incredible option for many pipers. You can get that special sheepskin sound with little or no maintenance. Most Sheepskin Premium pipe bags never require seasoning. The main reason for seasoning a pipe bag is to make it airtight. The airtight, ultra-suede fabric adhered to the outside of the sheepskin hide makes the bag airtight so seasoning isn’t required. We are also very pleased to offer the “Gandy” cut. This bag was designed by Bruce Gandy, one of the world’s great pipers. Just let us know which pipe bag is best suited for you.
Price range: $549.00 through $599.00 -
Bannatyne Extended Small Zip Hide Bag (9.6” X 26.5”)
Slightly longer and deeper than the small. Recommended for pipers 5’ 5” to 5’ 8”. Canister system not included.
$235.00 -
Bannatyne Medium Zip Hide Bag (10.5” X 26.5”)
Slightly deeper than the Willie McCallum, with the standard Bannatyne shape. Recommended for pipers 5’ 10” to 6’ 2”. Canister system not included.
$235.00 -
Bannatyne Willie McCallum Custom Zip Hide Bag (10” X 27.5”)
Slightly deeper than the small, but the arch in front of the drones is cut away a bit to allow less bag contact with the forearm. Recommended for pipers 5’ 7” to 6’. Canister system not included.
$250.00 -
Bannatyne Large Zip Hide Bag (11.5” X 29”)
Very few pipers will play a bag this size. Recommended for pipers 6’ 3” and taller. Canister system not included.
$235.00 -
Bannatyne Canister Moisture Control System
Includes two canisters (one with a tube lid), one chanter hose, three drone hoses, spare desiccant beads, optional air filter.
$115.50 -
Bannatyne Dri-Flo Moisture Control System
Includes three desiccant-filled drone hoses, elbows, three rubber stock sleeves.
$96.50 -
Bannatyne Replacement Gels
There are enough desiccant gels in the package to refill a Bannatyne canister and more than fill a Bannatyne Dri-Flo system. Remember: when the gels turn dark it’s time to dry them.
$15.50 -
The ‘Tone Protector’ Regulated Humidified Chanter Cap
This quite brilliant little product is like a chanter cap with a brain. A small humidity pack sits inside a compartment inside the cap to keep the level of humidity around the reed in the general vicinity of 84%. If the humidity is less than that (as it would be during cold winters or in other dry climates) the pack raises the humidity. If you put your reed away wet after playing, the pack absorbs moisture, stabilizing to that 84% level deemed optimum for maintaining a healthy reed that is ready to play. The digital hygrometer embedded into the end of the cap shows you the humidity level being maintained. If it drops well below 84%, you know it’s time to change your humidity pack. The packs can last anywhere from a few weeks up to a year depending on the relative humidity where you live. Where I am in southern Ontario, the winters are harsh and I get about a month out of a pack. Additional packs are sold here. I love how I can take my own pipes out and have the chanter reed sounding like I’ve already been playing for 15 minutes. I find it particularly helpful with the ridgecut reeds my students play in my high school pipe band. Winters were always frustrating with sharp top hands because the reeds were all dry. These caps have cut my band tuning time by about 75%. Sold here in black, blue or red.
$115.00 -
The ‘Tone Protector’ Regulated Humidified Reed Case
Operating much like the Tone Protector humidified chanter cap, this reed case uses Boveda technology to keep your reeds in storage at a relative humidity level of between 80%-84%. The Boveda packs are easily changed when the humidity level on the built-in hygrometer drops. Additional packs are available here. This new technology has brought an innovative element to reed storage, both within the chanter and without.
$92.50 -
‘Tone Protector’ Replacement Humidity Packs
The humidity packs in the Tone Protector should be changed when the digital hygrometer in the pack consistently reads below 84%. Packs can last anywhere from a few months to a year. These packages of 10 packs will last for a while!
$23.50 -
The MP Watertrap
Simple but effective tube watertraps like this one have been used for decades to control moisture being blown into the bag. Getting it designed just right so that it doesn’t come loose, doesn’t restrict blowing, doesn’t drip onto one spot on the bag, and actually does collect water is difficult. This one took me 20 years of tweaking as a professional player to get just right. The elbow joint is equipped with a rubber sleeve to fit snugly over the blowpipe stock to avoid possible stock-cracking caused by hemped tenons. From here the tube runs along the bottom of the bag right up to the top back corner. It catches not only saliva, but also water vapour that condenses inside the tube. To empty it, you remove the blowstick and turn the whole bagpipe upside down. I play one of these with a canister system. I don’t use the chanter hose, and the tube trap catches a good deal of moisture and keeps my chanter reed from getting soaked. Comes with instructions.
$35.00 -
Piper’s Pal Alert Humidified Reed Protector
Rob Kinnaird of Saskatoon invented the first humidified chanter cap nearly 20 years ago and continues to lead the market with this and similar products. This most recent iteration of the Piper’s Pal sports a dial that allows you to monitor the level of humidity in the cap, thus avoiding an environment that is either too dry or too moist. A rubber-tipped rod inserted into the bottom of the chanter maintains the enclosed environment. Instructions are included. The humidifying agent should be changed about once a year. Recharge kits are available on this page.
$74.50 -
Piper’s Pal Recharge Kit
Recharge kit for the Piper’s Pal Humidified Chanter Cap. These should be changed about once a year.
$11.50 -
Pipe Case Humidifier
This nifty little humidifier keeps my pipe case at around 60% humidity during dry Canadian winters. It also comes with a hygrometer to provide you with the relative humidity and temperature in your pipe case. Refill the humidifier with water as it dries and visibly shrinks. The humidifier and the hygrometer can both be affixed to the sides or top of your case as you choose. The gels inside the humidifier seem to last about a year, and then you need the recharge kit (below).
$56.50 -
Pipe Case Humidifier Recharge Kit
After about a year your Pipe Case Humidifier (above) will need to have the gels replaced or the water dries out of it very quickly, even seeping through the material. This little kit contains the replacement gels, tools and instructions.
$12.50 -
Hardie Airtight Seasoning
Hardie Airtight seasoning has been an icon of pipe maintenance since the 1960s, and even before that, when it was developed by the James Robertson pipemaking company in the 1930s. Bob Hardie bought the product when the Robertson shop closed in 1964. Not to be used in synthetic bags, it is perfect for all natural bags. Keep it in the fridge between uses.
$29.50 -
Drone Drying Brushes
Drone cracking is caused when moisture left in the bores causes the inside of the drone to expand while the drier outside does not. The differential cracks the wood starting on the outside. If the bores of your pipes are getting wet — whether you use a moisture control system or not — you should have a set of cotton drone brushes to dry them out. These five cotton brushes are sized so that every bore size is taken care of.
$43.50