NEWS FROM REELPIPES.COM – September 2025

Summer is barely in the rear-view mirror and already we’re seeing changes of leadership and membership in bands around the world. Most notable is the retirement of Dr. Jack Lee of the SFU Pipe Band from competitive band events. What an amazing career he has had in bands, as a P-M and then for 40+ years as P-Sgt of SFU. Jack’s influence as a leader, teacher, mentor has been critical to so much of the band’s success, and he leaves behind him a legacy in the band to carry it on.

I spent a full month in Scotland this summer, taking in three championships, PipingLive! and a lot of sand and sea on Skye and Uist. One unusual highlight was climbing up an arduous, pathless hill at Eyre on Raasay to visit the abandoned croft of John MacKay of Raasay, and the home where Angus MacKay spent his early years. I had a short tune there, and even at that I had midge bites on my face and neck for a week after!

PipingLive! was a brilliant week. A highlight was the Wednesday concert from Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia, which was a full night of excellent piping and other music. We were very proud of the contributions of daughter Eilidh MacDonald and the entire band who put on such a great show. Congratulations to all involved on a great night of entertainment.

I had the chance to visit a few old friends gathered that week, including Jim Begg, who I visited at the shop. I first met Jim in the early 80s when we played in the Babcock-Renfrew Pipe Band, and he was just starting in on his journey as maker of fantastic pipe bags.

It’s back to band, back to the drawing board, and back to reality for most of us. Time to get the new tunes learned, the new gear played, and plan for the next year. If there’s any way we can assist your journey, get in touch.

 

IN-STOCK BAGPIPES

Looking for a great bagpipe for a new player, an upgrade to what you’re currently playing or an alternate bagpipe for international travel? We have models that are “entry level” mounts and price with “professional piper quality” sound and design.

• Duncan MacRae SL4 -Made as an exact replica of Stuart Liddell’s pipes, including antique-style Thistle engraving.
• Duncan MacRae SL3 -This amazing sounding instrument comes with a poly pipe chanter.
• Duncan MacRae SL0 -The least expensive model of the MacRae line still packs the great tonal punch that you expect with the MacRaes. A lovely, light instrument with a great full sound. Comes with a poly chanter.
• McCallum AB3/ES - Classic full-imitation-ivory look for a bagpipe and a great McCallum quality and sound. Comes with a poly chanter and engraved slides.
• McCallum AB0 – Blackwood button mounts and a great McCallum quality and sound. Comes with a poly chanter.
• Fred Morrison GHB2 – Fred Morrison spent several years designing the sound and look he wanted, and that comes with every set. These are great sounding pipes and have their own look.
• Fred Morrison, bellows-blown smallpipes in A – a brilliant instrument, ready to play.

Here’s a link for viewing the pipes and the options.

https://www.reelpipes.com/home/highland-bagpipes/category/102-bagpipes-in-stock

 

MK WHISTLES

We’ve got fresh stock of these arriving, including Low D, High D “Midgie”, and Low A. These are fabulous instruments, and fun to play.

https://www.reelpipes.com/home/whistles

 

SOME RECENT ITEMS

https://www.reelpipes.com/home/new-additions

Broadley Pipe Reeds
Bagpipe maker Ross Watson launched his own brand after years of working in another shop, and his chanters have made a huge impact in Grades 1 and 2. We started supplying his reeds last spring and they are excellent in a variety of chanters.

Moisture Genie
The system provides a dual zone of humidity within the pipe bag keeping the chanter reed bright and stable, while keeping the drone reeds free of moisture. This has the desired result in both dry and wet climates! Designed and made in Canada.

Kintyre Practice Chanter by Willie McCallum
Willie McCallum himself describes it as "the only long practice chanter I have played that feels like a pipe chanter," making the transition to a pipe chanter much easier. Modelled on the McCallum Solo Chanter, the Kintyre practice chanter is particularly beneficial for owners of that model. However, our user testing group found the same advantages even if they play a different pipe chanter.

Duncan MacRae Pipe Chanters by Stuart Liddell, MBE

Stuart has spent a few years refining this solo pipe chanter, which is currently the model he plays. We have them in African blackwood and poly, and they sound brilliant, as you’d expect. You can get the chanter with a sole added, and the poly ones are appropriate for band use also.

InTune Mic for iPhone or Android
https://www.reelpipes.com/home/new-additions/product/2953-intune-tm-mic

J. Reid Maxwell Drum Sticks 
https://www.reelpipes.com/home/drumming-supplies/product/2992-j-reid-maxwell-snare-sticks

 

REEDS FOR BAND AND SOLO

• G1 Platinum - This reed is favoured by many bands in all grades for the quality and consistency they deliver, and they go well in a variety of chanters.
• Chesney and Chesney Solos- Many Grade 1 prize-winning bands play Chesney and they do so because they really are good. In our experience, they may be a little harder to manage in dry/high climates but deliver a broad rich sound when managed well. [Tone Protector chanter caps make a huge difference.] Chesney are now producing a solo reed to give you that great vibrant sound with an excellent piobaireachd High G.
• Broadley – These reeds come in a variety of strengths from “very easy” to “hard” and they are accurate, clear and sound great in a variety of chanters.
• MacLellan, MacPhee and Sound Supreme – All great reeds for soloists, and MacLellan and Sound Supreme are used by many bands.
• DRONE REEDS– BalanceTone HR, Ezeedrone, Selbie, Henderson Harmonic, Kelt Black Cane and MG drone reeds ready to go! We also have CANE DRONE REEDS by G1.

 

BOOKS

We have a wide selection of music books from classic collections every piper should own (Scots Guards, Willie Ross, Donald MacLeod) to newer collections by modern masters (Gordon Duncan, Fred Morrison, Bruce Gandy.

https://www.reelpipes.com/home/all-parts-and-accessories/category/23-music-books

The Legend Lives On by Donald MacPherson

The complete compositions of the man known the world over as the “greatest piper of the 20 century”. Donald MacPherson was something of a phenomenon in piping. His competitive record is well documented – and is something that will probably remain unsurpassed – but he was also a great teacher and ambassador for the instrument.

The Piper's Trawl

This volume is a piper's journey through the works of James Scott Skinner, compiled by Iain Duncan. 

Joseph MacDonald's "Compleat Theory of the Scots Highland Bagpipe"

This edition by Dr Roderick Cannon examines in detail the contents of the original book and makes learned suggestions about the contents, the likely playing styles and what this tells us about the development of piping in those years. It's a fascinating read, and includes a copy of MacDonald's original manuscript.

The Campbell Letters

Their letters on piping, and on piobaireachd in particular, form a valuable record of their insights and opinions. Excerpts from their letters, collected in this book, will interest and inform players and other students of the music.

Many of their views are as relevant today as when the letters were written. There are also letters of John Macdonald of Inverness, and letters to Robert U. Brown, that lend a different perspective to the correspondence.

 

Like a good read? How about I Piped, That She Might Dance, a novel about the life of Angus MacKay, piper to Queen Victoria. We also have interesting books about bagpipes, bagpipe makers, and more.

https://www.reelpipes.com/home/all-parts-and-accessories/category/100-other-reading

 

Our "Collectible" section has lots of quirky finds and gifts for the hard-to-buy-for person on your list, including books, antiques, LP recordings and more.

Sending best wishes to all for the remainder of the year. Have great tunes, enjoy the music, and encourage all the kids you know to start lessons.

CONTACT US

Do you have news you'd like to pass along? Want to ask about products or services? Just like talking about bands and bagpipes?  : )
Email: reelpipes@gmail.com
Telephone: 306-533-6678

 If you'd like to be removed from the mailing list, just fire us a return email and we'll look after it!