History: Peter Henderson, the Iconic Bagpipe Maker

The following is taken from a 1930s catalogue of the famous Glasgow firm of pipe makers……

To our customers we offer this our latest catalogue, hoping that the confidence and goodwill which has for so long existed may continue in the future.

To prospective customers we hope this catalogue will prove of value to them and lead to business associations that will be to our mutual advantage.

‘Contractors to British and Canadian Governments, Private and Cadet Bands at Home and Abroad….Also at Montreal, Boston, Sydney, Melbourne, Dunedin….’

To old friends we tender our thanks, and of new and old alike we beg space to say a little about the House of Henderson, famous since 1868 for the manufacture of Bagpipes, Highland Costumes, and Ornaments.

The late Mr Peter Henderson [above], founded in Scotland and introduced to the public, the firm of Peter Henderson, in 1868.

A piper of great ability, he set a standard in bagpipe manufacture that has never been surpassed. Ninety-five per cent of professional Pipers all over the world are using Henderson Pipes, while ninety per cent of the competing bands at all contests use our instruments in order to obtain a clearness and uniformity of tone that can only be produced from these pipes.

Sample pictures from the cataloguecheck the prices below!

Perusal of the prize lists at Oban, Inverness, Braemar, Bridge of Allan, Cowal, or other of the leading Games in Scotland or any other country where such gatherings are held, will convince you that Henderson Pipes top the list with a very large majority.

Among the orders received from all over the world have been requests for sets Full Mounted in Gold; completely in Ivory; and fully carved sets; all of which have been carried out in our own workshops.

When, a few years after the foundation of the firm, the popularity of Highland Dress and Customs was revived by the interest of Royalty, the late Mr Peter Henderson reaped the reward of his foresight and the high standard he set in all matters pertaining to Scotland’s National Dress.

Only Tartans woven in the best mills of his native land were to be found in his stock, and no Tartan was too rare to find a niche on his shelves.

Since our inception in 1868, the traditions of the House of Henderson have been steadfastly adhered to, and each year our trade, both at home and overseas, is steadily expanding.

  • To be continued. Do you own a set of authentic Henderson pipes? Do they have a tale to tell? Share it on PP. Email editor@pipingpress.com.

1 thought on “History: Peter Henderson, the Iconic Bagpipe Maker

  1. Those prices ! That was when a pound (£1) was really worth something (like a week’s wages) and the equivalent of around five American dollars ($5).

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