Vintage Bagpipes for Sale

Grainger & Campbell, 1971-72, Engraved Sterling Silver, Ivory

The Grainger and Campbell pipe-making firm took over the premises of Duncan MacRae in 1947 in Glasgow. They later became associated with the great Donald MacLeod and John MacFadyen, two master players and leaders in the field. It is from that rich environment that this bagpipe comes to us.

The bagpipe is hallmarked 1971-72, is mounted in ivory and engraved silver, and is in fine shape. The original finish has been left, and the bagpipe needed no work.

Grainger pipes are underrated tonally. They are full and steady when well reeded, and promote a great blend with the chanter.

If you’ve ever fancied wearing a decent silver and ivory bagpipe on your shoulder, this may be the bagpipe for you!

As shown, sticks and stocks only: CAD $5,250 plus shipping

Set up to play by Jim McGillivray with a Bannatyne bag, polypenco chanter of choice, Ezeedrone drone reeds, Highland Gear bag cover, plain coloured silk drone cords, plastic chanter cap. For Lee & Sons bag, please request a quote. To add Ross or Bannatyne Canister system and Ross valve/watertrap, add CAD $165. For an African Blackwood chanter instead of polypenco, request add-on price. CAD $5,995 plus shipping

Atherton MD, 2026, aged imitation ivory

This Atherton MD Duncan MacDougall reproduction is a particularly superb example of Dave’s work. Dave always choses exceptional and well-aged wood, but more so with this set. He spent an extraordinary amount of time on this instrument, making every detail perfect.

The set is mounted in aged imitation ivory, the wood has been aged for some years and every detail on the bagpipe is perfect. You will not find a better manufactured bagpipe on the planet. You will rarely find another set of drones with the locking ability these have. Numerous top players in the highest levels of solo competition play Atherton pipes, as do those in top grade 1 bands. SFU pipe major and successful solo player Alan Bevan plays a set, as do others in that vaunted band.

This is a bagpipe you care for and leave to your heirs. As time passes and the wood ages, it will only get better.

As shown, sticks and stocks only: CAD $4,450 plus shipping

Set up to play by Jim McGillivray with a Bannatyne bag, polypenco chanter of choice, Ezeedrone drone reeds, Highland Gear bag cover, plain coloured silk drone cords, plastic chanter cap. For Lee & Sons bag, please request a quote. To add Ross or Bannatyne Canister system and Ross valve/watertrap, add CAD $165. For an African Blackwood chanter instead of polypenco, request add-on price. CAD $5,195 plus shipping

Atherton Legacy, 2026, Imitation Ivory, Sterling Silver Slides

This is a brand new set of Atherton Legacy, made this year.  Why is it on the vintage page? It’s on the vintage page because more that any other bagpipe on the market today, Atherton bagpipes are an heirloom bagpipe with tonal qualities that match most that of the vintage pipes on this page.

That’s a big claim, but the inordinate amount of time Dave Atherton spends on a bagpipe results in virtually perfect manufacturing standards. Dave selects only premier wood that has been aged anywhere from 3 to 12 years.

Atherton pipes are being played at the highest levels in the world, including the big events at Oban and Inverness, as well as in the World Pipe Band Championship.

This set is mounted in aged imitation ivory and Sterling silver slides. The blowpipe and blowpipe stock are polypenco.

As shown, sticks and stocks only: CAD $5,150 plus shipping

Set up to play by Jim McGillivray with Bannatyne bag, polypenco chanter of choice, Ezeedrone drone reeds, Highland Gear bag cover, plain coloured silk drone cords, plastic chanter cap. For Lee & Sons bag, please request a quote. To add Ross or Bannatyne Canister system and Ross valve/watertrap, add CAD $165. For an African Blackwood chanter instead of polypenco, request add-on price. CAD $5,895 plus shipping

Atherton Legacy, 2017, Nickel and Imitation Ivory

SOLD – This Legacy set has been played by one owner since 2017.  The pipes are in superb condition but for one small chip on the bass ring.

The Legacy displays the most robust sound of any Atherton pipe. It is full and remarkably steady. The workmanship is without peer. When Dave came onto the market more than 20 years ago he set a new standard in handmade craftmanship and wood quality. That standard of quality has improved as Dave has evolved as a pipemaker, as have the tonal quality of the instruments.

This bagpipe is mounted in imitation ivory and nickel. It has a brass-lined blowpipe. The blowpipe stock is polypenco.

This is an heirloom bagpipe that will stand the test of time.

As shown, sticks and stocks only: CAD $4,150 plus shipping

Set up to play by Jim McGillivray with a Bannatyne bag, polypenco chanter of choice, Ezeedrone drone reeds, Highland Gear bag cover, plain coloured silk drone cords, plastic chanter cap. For Lee & Sons bag, please request a quote. To add Ross or Bannatyne Canister system and Ross valve/watertrap, add CAD $165. For an African Blackwood chanter instead of polypenco, request add-on price. CAD $4,895 plus shipping

MacPherson, 1972-73, Engraved Silver and Ivory

The Hugh MacPherson company made bagpipes in Edinburgh from 1946 until 1987. There was always a close connection between the MacPherson and Sinclair pipemaking companies. To make a long story short, MacPherson and Sinclair bagpipes are quite similar, both inside and out, almost identical.

These pipes came to me in very good shape. The blowpipe stock was badly cracked. It has been replaced by a poly stock with the original mount moved to it. The pipes were stripped, a couple of stock cracks were fixed, and the pipes were refinished.

The pipes played very well with my set of Canning drone reeds. The sound is full, though not booming, bright and steady.

This is a lovely looking bagpipe that plays very well: a soliid and well priced option for someone looking to upgrade to an antique with some bling!

As shown, sticks and stocks only: CAD $6,650 plus shipping

Set up to play by Jim McGillivray with Ross or Bannatyne bag, polypenco chanter of choice, Ezeedrone drone reeds, Highland Gear bag cover, plain coloured silk drone cords, plastic chanter cap. For Lee & Sons bag, please request a quote. To add Ross or Bannatyne Canister system and Ross valve/watertrap, add CAD $165. For an African Blackwood chanter instead of polypenco, request add-on price.
CAD $7,395 plus shipping

Peter Henderson, Silver and Ivory, Hallmarked 1972.

This set would have been made during the last year of the original Peter Henderson company’s existence under then director Greig Sharp.

The set came to me looking superb. It needed no work other than rehemping and oiling. What appears to be the original finish is still in excellent shape. There is almost no wear on the bass bottom joint, suggesting the pipes were never played much. The overly long blowstick you see in the photo has since been cut back to a more useful length.

The pipes played well with my Canning drone reeds. This is not the booming Henderson sound of pre-1950. It is less robust, but still refined and steady, perhaps more in a Hardie vein. The tenors tuned a bit low, though this is becoming more common as the pitch of the modern chanter continues to rise.

This is an attractive, resilient and tuneful bagpipe perfect for any player looking for a solid sound along with some bling.

As shown, sticks and stocks only: CAD $6,550 plus shipping

Set up to play by Jim McGillivray with Ross or Bannatyne bag, polypenco chanter of choice, Ezeedrone drone reeds, Highland Gear bag cover, plain coloured silk drone cords, plastic chanter cap. For Lee & Sons bag, please request a quote. To add Ross or Bannatyne Canister system and Ross valve/watertrap, add CAD $165. For an African Blackwood chanter instead of polypenco, request add-on price.
CAD $7,295 plus shipping

Kilgour & Kron, Silver and Imitation Ivory, Hallmarked 1992

George Kilgour was an Edinburgh man and a Scots Guards Pipe Major. In his younger days in the late 1940s, he learned pipemaking in the shop of James Robertson — one of the best in the business. In 1988 he emigrated to the US and set up shop with his apprentice, Charlie Kron in Dobbs Ferry, New York. He would stay until his retirement in 1995.

This gorgeous set is hallmarked 1992. It is in superb shape except for a small dent in one of the silver tenor drone caps (visible in photo). The only work the pipes needed was to have a new mouthpiece bulb made to replace a mismatched bulb. All pieces are original and the perfect finish and anecdotal evidence suggest the pipes were never played much, so they are quite pristine.

Though I worked with Charlie Kron for some years, I had never played a Kilgour & Kron set. I was pleasantly surprised by the very robust sound. The drones tuned in the right places and steadied up very quickly.  The set also comes with a Kilgour & Kron pipe chanter with an imitation ivory sole. 

As shown, sticks and stocks only: CAD $5,750 plus shipping

Set up to play by Jim McGillivray with Ross or Bannatyne bag, polypenco chanter of choice, Ezeedrone drone reeds, Highland Gear bag cover, plain coloured silk drone cords, plastic chanter cap. (To add Ross or Bannatyne Canister system and Ross valve/watertrap, add CAD $165) (For an African Blackwood chanter instead of polypenco, request add-on price.)
CAD $6,495 plus shipping

Henry Starck, Circa 1930s, Engraved Silver Slides, Ivory

This Starck set came to me as ebony, but it may be a mix of ebony and African blackwood. All pieces are original except for one tenor stock and the blowpipe. The tenor stock appears to be a Lawrie with a nicely matching ivory ferrule. The blowpipe has a premium imitation ivory ferrule. The set had been stripped and refinished at some point before I acquired it, and this finish is still in excellent condition.

The set has engraved, hallmarked silver slides.  I had trouble identifying the hallmark, but it may be 1942. The slides are almost certainly later add-ons. 

There are some splits in the ivory. These have been filled and are stable. One or two are visible in the photos. 

In typical Starck fashion, this set was bold and steady. The tenors tuned quite high, but not too much so. It’s a good set, despite the minor visual compromises.

As shown, sticks and stocks only: CAD $4,450 plus shipping

Set up to play by Jim McGillivray with Ross or Bannatyne bag, polypenco chanter of choice, Ezeedrone drone reeds, Highland Gear bag cover, plain coloured silk drone cords, plastic chanter cap. (To add Ross or Bannatyne Canister system and Ross valve/watertrap, add CAD $165) (For an African Blackwood chanter instead of polypenco, request add-on price.)
CAD $5,195 plus shipping

Wm. Sinclair & Sons, Circa 1950s, Full Ivory

This Sinclair set came to me in excellent condition save for a cracked blowpipe stock that has been invisible whipped and will give no more problems. The original finish has been maintained and polished. The tuning chambers were evened up, and the set was re-hemped and oiled.

The pipes were likely made in the 1950s and feature the solid ivory ring caps that both the Sinclair and MacPherson pipemaking companies in Edinburgh were known for. The bass ring cap was unfortunately broken in the near past and was replaced by Dunbar Bagpipes using their premium imitation ivory.

Sinclair pipes are known for their full and very bright sound. I played a Sinclair set all through the 1980s, winning the Gold Medal and Clasp at Inverness as well as the Glenfiddich M/S/R, so I have a soft spot for this maker!

These pipes played as expected, so it was bit of a trip down memory lane for me.

As shown, sticks and stocks only: CAD $4,950 plus shipping

Set up to play by Jim McGillivray with Ross or Bannatyne bag, polypenco chanter of choice, Ezeedrone drone reeds, Highland Gear bag cover, plain coloured silk drone cords, plastic chanter cap. (To add Ross or Bannatyne Canister system and Ross valve/watertrap, add CAD $165) (For an African Blackwood chanter instead of polypenco, request add-on price.)
CAD $5,695 plus shipping