Meet The Last Artisans Making Traditional Bagpipes By Hand In Scotland's Capital | Still Standing

Business Insider2 minutes read

Bagpipes have a rich history in Scottish heritage for over 600 years, with Kilbury Bagpipes in Edinburgh being the last workshop in the city handcrafting bagpipes from African black wood sourced from Mozambique. The meticulous creation process takes about four days per instrument, including traditional techniques like shaping, decoration work, and hemping for an airtight connection, before being tested and shipped globally.

Insights

  • Bagpipes have been part of Scottish heritage for over 600 years, and Kilbury Bagpipes in Edinburgh is the last workshop in the city that meticulously handcrafts these instruments, taking four days to complete a single one.
  • Dave Wardle, the bagpipe maker at Kilbury, uses African black wood sourced from Mozambique due to its superior tonal quality and durability, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail involved in creating these iconic instruments.

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Recent questions

  • What is the history of bagpipes?

    Bagpipes have a rich history spanning over three millennia, with a significant presence in Scottish heritage for over 600 years.

  • How long does it take to handcraft a bagpipe?

    Kilbury Bagpipes in Edinburgh takes about four days to create a single instrument.

  • What materials are used to make bagpipes?

    Dave Wardle, the bagpipe maker, uses African black wood for its tonal quality and durability, a material sourced from Mozambique.

  • What components make up a Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe?

    The Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe consists of five pipes connected to a bag, including drones and a chanter for melody.

  • What techniques are used to craft bagpipes at Kilbury?

    The bagpipes are meticulously crafted by hand at Kilbury, with traditional techniques like shaping, decoration work, and hemping for an airtight connection, before being tested and shipped worldwide.

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Summary

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"Scottish Bagpipes: Crafted by Hand in Edinburgh"

  • Bagpipes have a rich history spanning over three millennia, with a significant presence in Scottish heritage for over 600 years.
  • Kilbury Bagpipes in Edinburgh is the last workshop in the city that handcrafts bagpipes, taking about four days to create a single instrument.
  • The Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe, the most famous style, consists of five pipes connected to a bag, including drones and a chanter for melody.
  • Dave Wardle, the bagpipe maker, uses African black wood for its tonal quality and durability, a material sourced from Mozambique.
  • The bagpipes are meticulously crafted by hand at Kilbury, with traditional techniques like shaping, decoration work, and hemping for an airtight connection, before being tested and shipped worldwide.
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