This is one of Dave Atherton’s earlier MacDougall-bored sets, and has had only one owner, who purchased it new in 2007. It is mounted in “palm ivory,” a tropical nut. Very few sets were mounted in palm ivory due to reasons of efficiency: often flaws would appear in the nut only after considerable work had been done making the mount and the nearly-finished mount would have to be discarded. These mounts have turned a rich honey brown. Combined with Dave’s great eye for lines, this is one of the most visually beautiful bagpipes I’ve had on the site in a long time. The photos don’t do it complete justice. I have long contended that Dave Atherton is the premier pipemaker of the last 50 years, and this set does nothing to dissuade my belief.

The tone is full and seamless, with a rich, dominant bass and excellent blend with the chanter. The blowstick is lined with stainless steel to prevent cracking.

There are no cracks or flaws. Besides being an outstanding musical instrument, the mounts and its distinction as one of Dave Atherton’s earlier bagpipes make it somewhat of a collector’s item.