Bagpipe.news was given this article by Roddy Macleod, to share the history of these special pipes, but also to trace anyone who could add more detail to the story. The pipes are circa 1900 to 1916 made by David Glen and Sons. So are perhaps 120 years old. The pipes are most likely made from cocuswood imported from the West Indies. The mounts and drone tops are ivory with nickel ferrules on the drones and stocks. David Glen based in Edinburgh manufactured bagpipes over a period 1900 to 1916. The pipes have a distinctive tone and quality renowned for a blended, mellow sound. There have definitely been 5 owners and maybe more.
By Calum Macleod
The pipes came to our family in the 1970’s via Fergus Macdonald a local minister in Cumbernauld. Fergus hailed from Evanton near Dingwall. As a young man he was taught the bagpipes by a Dan Matheson also from Evanton.
He remembers Dan worked as a “Wood Carter” in a local wood and lived in an old wooden caravan where he would visit him for his piping lessons.
Fergus recollects that Dan used to travel to the forest in Spinningdale in the course of his work and it was in that area that he made contact with the seller of the pipes. He remembered that Dan had said he purchased them from an ex-soldier.
Given the locality Dan may well have bought the pipes from a piper in the Ardgay and Bonar pipe band. Fergus purchased the pipes for £9 in 1952 from Dan.
There were many good pipers from that area and several with a military connection, a number were enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders.
A notable piper from that area was William MacDonald or “Black Will” as he was known locally. He served in the 5th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders. He was the composer of The Highland Division at Wadi Akarit – a well-known pipe tune.
One wonders if perhaps “Black Will” may have known the owner of these pipes. At the moment this is pure speculation!
Fergus MacDonald went on to Edinburgh University where he was living in a flat and the pipes proved unpopular with his neighbours. After graduation he went on to live and work in Peru for 5 years. He returned and was appointed the minister of Cumbernauld Free Church.
He at this point had given up playing and passed them on to me when I was a boy in the 1970s. My parents, father – also Calum and my mother – Mary were members of the church. The congregation was populated by mainly people from the Highlands and Islands and Gaelic speakers. Our father – Isle of Lewis, mother – Benbecula.
After a few years I ceased playing the pipes. My tutor was Willie Campbell who was an ex-soldier and was a stickler for straight fingers and a good birl. I passed this skill on to my brother Roddy!
I also passed the pipes to Roddy who went on to play the pipes winning many competitions. As many will know, he is now a distinguished piper known worldwide. He was honoured with an MBE for piping. He was the Principal of the National Piping Centre in Glasgow. Taking up the role from the beginning in 1996 until retiring in 2020.
He has gone on to develop his own bagpipes and teaches at home and across the world.
When my Grandson, Ruaridh Russell, was seven years old I took him to the National Piping Centre in Glasgow where he received some tuition from John Dew. In 2020 the Covid pandemic impacted on his ability to continue to attend and after a break, Roddy my brother tutored him on a weekly basis getting him up and running from the chanter to the bagpipes.
Ruaridh moved on to Glasgow Academy for his Secondary Education and the School has an active Pipe Band. In a turn of fate, the school piping programme is led by John Dew who is a very good solo player and a band member of the 2025 Grade 1 World Pipe Band Champions – Inveraray and District Pipe Band.
Ruaridh is now a member of the school band. Michael, Ruaridh’s father, a doctor and keen musician was a major influence on Ruaridh continuing with the pipes and undoubtedly Ruaridh has inherited an ear for music. Roddy passed the pipes to Ruaridh who is now aged 14. Roddy contributed to this history from his extensive knowledge of the pipes and piping.
Meeting in Edinburgh Sheraton Hotel
All 4 owners met in Edinburgh on the 10th March 2026 to discuss the history of the pipes. It was an enjoyable meeting and covered 73 years of the pipes journey. Ruaridh played a tune for Fergus on the pipes at the entrance to the Hotel on the day.
The purpose of this history of the pipes is simply that it is retained with the pipes for the future. In the custody of Ruaridh. Who knows he may pass them on to his son/daughter or grandchildren.