In just over 25 years McCallum Bagpipes, based near Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, have become probably the biggest quality bagpipe manufacturers in the world.
Their instruments go to all pipe-playing nations in North and South America, Asia, Oceania and Europe. Their factory is leading the way in using robotic manufacturing equipment to take much of the tedium out of the pipe making process.
The firm employs 32 people, some part time, and makes pipes for brands such as McRae Bagpipes – designed by Stuart Liddell – and Fred Morrison bellows pipes.
The success of the firm is down to its two founders Kenny MacLeod – known to everyone through his Glasgow Skye Pipe Band connection – and Stuart McCallum, competing piper and ace craftsman.
Kenny’s business, marketing and promotional skills allied to Stuart’s technical expertise and workmanship, and their combined attention to detail and quality control, is the solid basis on which the firm is built.
They’ve just acquired new storage space at their Troon Road premises where wood lies maturing and other raw materials are handily placed for the bustling workshop.
New projects are always on the go. Right now they are perfecting a new chanter for the successful McRae bagpipe brand. You want to know about ‘elbow’ pipes? McCallums has the lot. In the bellows department Andy Bell is working on a new C set. Uillean pipes, the complex Irish instrument, smallpipes in D, A or C and reel or lowland pipes are all to hand – and nothing leaves the shop unless it is played and tested.
Wood-substitute Highland pipes are a speciality of the firm. They are ideal for hot countries or for those who need a parade set. No worries over cracks or splits. Security at the airport want to put them in the hold? Go right ahead.
Thankfully, worries over the supplies of African blackwood have dissipated. Un-licensed logging seems to have been controlled. Restrictions on imports and attendant paperwork are manageable once more.
Proving popular now in the American market are marine grade aluminium mounts. Unlike nickel silver, these do not tarnish and an instrument continues to look its best in all conditions and irrespective of the level of care.
Everyone is welcome to have a look around McCallum’s premises, easily accessible off the Ayrshire motorway network south of Glasgow. You won’t be disappointed.
It’s not all about selling and being successful at McCallum Bagpipes. The firm’s support for piping and pipe bands is legendary with sets of pipes and other prizes regularly helping contest organisers and promoters around the world.
McCallum Bagpipes are a great advert for Scottish industry and are set to continue their supply of quality products to their market at home and abroad for the foreseeable future. Contact the company via their website.
- Are you a Piping Press advertiser? Would you like us to feature your company? Contact the editor at editor@pipingpress.com
