Duncan McRae made bagpipes in Glasgow from 1897 until 1930, though his son James continued the company until 1952. Not a pipemaker himself, Duncan enlisted advice from knowledgeable pipers, particulary Pipe Major Willie Gray of the World Champion Glasgow Police, a man also at the top of the solo piping tree in the 1920s. Gray was a man of ideas and MacRae was willing to be convinced. Hempless slides and extendable bass drone bells were two of their most memorable and mostly successful innovations.

The bagpipes MacRae made are historic tonally as well. The German silver and ivory set played by Stuart Liddell is legendary. MacCallum Bagpipes has measured and reproduced Stuart’s bagpipe as it is, right down to slight differences discovered between the two tenor drones. The MacRae sound is full, resonant and steady.

McGillivray Piping is pleased to stock the SL4 model of the Liddell-MacRae reproduction. It is mounted in thistle engraved aluminum alloy and imitation ivory, and includes a matching mouthpiece bulb and engraved sleeve. The pipes are beautifully made, particularly affordable, and produce a superb, steady sound.

Email me about this reproduction.

As shown, sticks only.
CAD $2,010