This Duncan MacDougall bagpipe is in remarkable condition, given its age. The middle bass drone joint is stamped “D. McDougall Edinr” just below the projecting mount. The “Edinr” is actually upside down below the maker’s name, a typical trait of this period. The stamp is clearly visible in the enlarged photo of the upper projecting mounts, bottom left. While it is difficult to know exactly where Duncan MacDougall lived at all times during the 1860s and early 1870s, a bagpipe stamped ‘Edinburgh’ can generally be thought of as having been made in the mid to late 1860s. This set was in the possession of the previous owner since 1978. Before that, they were part of the estate of Brodie Castle in Forres, Scotland.

The bagpipe is ebony and fully mounted in lovely ivory. All pieces are original except for the blowstick and blowstick stock. The stock has its original ferrule, and the blowstick has an almost perfect replica mount in ivory. You would not guess these pieces are not original without knowing.

As is typical of pipes with brass linings in the drone tuning chambers, hairline cracks have appeared adjacent to them on the tenor drone tops. There is no leakage, and these have been invisible whipped to prevent future problems.

The pipes were refinished by the previous owner.

The tone is classic Duncan. Though it is not a booming sound, the richness, the blend, and the timbre of the bass drone result in a sound that fills the room.